Harry Perkowski

From BR Bullpen

Harry Walter Perkowski

Bats Left, Throws Left
Weight 196 lb.

Debut September 13, 1947
Final Game September 18, 1955
Born September 6, 1922 in Dante, VA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

19 year old lefthander Harry Perkowski would pitch his first year of pro baseball with the Natchez Giants of the class D Evangeline League as a free agent. World War II would cause the league to disband on May 22, 1942 and Harry, who had a 1-1 record, would be drafted and joined the Military Services, spending the next three and one half years (1942-45) with the United States Navy during World War II.

The Cincinnati Reds would draft Harry as an amateur free agent before the 1946 season and the 23 year old veteran would come up with a league-leading 23-6 record for the Ogden Reds of the class C Pioneer League, he didn't slow up and in 1947 Harry would go 17-12 for the Columbia Reds of the class A South Atlantic League plus getting his first look at big league hitters in three appearances at Crosley Field with no decisions.

Harry was voted the Texas League Pitcher of the year and started the All-Star game when he went 22-10 with a 2.98 ERA for the Tulsa Oilers in 1948. In 1949 he would go 14-12 for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs of the IL with a 3.70 ERA and wound up going 1-1 with Cincinnati in five appearances.

Harry would stay in the major leagues with the Cincinnati organization until October 1, 1954 and the Redlegs would trade him to the Chicago Cubs for Johnny Klippstein and Jim Willis. He would finish up his eight year major league run with the Cubs going 3-4 for a career 33-40 record with a 4.37 ERA.

The 33 year old veteran would drop back into the minors in 1956 with the Tulsa Oilers and the Los Angeles Angels and have a split season of 8-8 with a 4.29 ERA. Perkowski, in his next four years would win 32 and lose only 14, all in the high minors, and wind up his minor league career at age 37 in 1960 with 117 wins and 63 losses with a 3.49 ERA.

After baseball Harry worked in the weight enforcement division of the West Virginia Highway Department and is now retired in Beckley, West Virginia.