Harry Coveleski
From BR Bullpen
Harry Frank Coveleski (The Giant Killer)
- Bats Both, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
- Debut September 10, 1907
- Final Game June 23, 1918
- Born April 23, 1886 in Shamokin, PA USA
- Died August 4, 1950 in Shamokin, PA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Nicknamed "The Giant Killer" for his prowess against the New York club during the stretch run of the 1908 campaign, pitcher Harry Coveleski was the older brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Stan Coveleski and one of four professional players in the family.
Born Harry Frank Kowalewski in a Polish immigrant family in the coal mining country of eastern Pennsylvania, he began working in the coal mines as a teenager while playing baseball in his free time. He was scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals and signed to a contract with Kane of the Inter-State League in 1907, then, when the league folded, played on a semi-pro team in Wildwood, NJ alongside his brother John. He was spotted by the Philadelphia Phillies, and was signed to a major league conrtact in September of 1907, ending an unlikely year by pitching 20 innings in the big leagues without allowing an earned run.
He played for the Lancaster Red Roses of the Tri-State League in 1908 and did very well, going 22-15 with 232 strikeouts in 304 innings. When the season ended, the Phillies called him up and he became a key figure in one of the greatest pennant races of all time by defeating the New York Giants three times down the stretch. He was given a $50 bonus by manager Billy Murray for his performance, and the Giants ultimately lost the pennant to the 1908. The Giants claimed that they ran him out of the league the next season by taunting him, but his problems actually resulted from a sore arm.
Coveleski was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1910 and then sent down to the minors. His contract was eventually purchased by the Detroit Tigers, and he recovered to become a three-time 20-game winner for the club between 1914 and 1916. He was a real workhorse during that period, pitching over 300 innings each season. He soon suffered arm troubles again and was out of the majors by the middle of the 1918 season. His attempts to come back in the minor leagues were unsuccessful, and he was out of baseball by 1922.
During their careers, Harry and his brother Stan agreed never to play against each other, and their managers always arranged for them not to have to. They did play in the same game on occasion, when one of the brothers was called in relief in a game in which the other was pitching or had pitched.
Following his baseball days, Coveleski became a police officer in his hometown and later operated a tavern.
His main teammates included Ty Cobb (2922), Bobby Veach (1925) and Sam Crawford (1736).
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL Games Pitched Leader (1915)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (1914-1916)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 3 (1914-1916)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1914-1916)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1914-1916)
[edit] Further Reading
- Dave Anderson: "Harry and Stanley: The Coveleski Brother Act", The National Pastime, SABR, Number 20 (2000), pp. 39-41.
- John Heiselman: "Harry Frank Coveleski", in David jones, ed.: Deadball Stars of the American League, SABR, Potomac Books, Inc., Dulles, VA, 2006, pp. 573-574.
