Mel Harder

From BR Bullpen

Melvin Leroy Harder (Chief)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.

Debut April 24, 1928
Final Game September 7, 1947
Born October 15, 1909 in Beemer, NE USA
Died October 20, 2002 in Chardon, OH USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Pitcher Mel Harder spent his entire career of twenty years with the Cleveland Indians and made the All-Star team four times. Over his career, he pitched 13 innings in the All-Star Game and never gave up an earned run.

He was in the top ten in the league in ERA six times in his career, all during the 1930's; he led the league in 1933 with a 2.95 ERA. He was also in the top ten in the league in wins six times in his career, also all during the 1930's.

Harder was the starting pitcher when the Indians played their first game at Municipal Stadium on July 31, 1932. Sixty one years later, he also threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the ballpark's final game on October 3, 1993.

Mel's playing career lasted so long that he was on the Cleveland Indians in 1928 along with veterans "Tioga" George Burns and Lew Fonseca, and after World War II in 1947 he was still on the Indians, with the young Larry Doby and Al Rosen, as well as Bob Feller. Harder has won more games than any Cleveland pitcher other than Bob Feller. Then, having stayed with the Indians as pitching coach, he was still around in 1963 when "Sudden" Sam McDowell was a young player. His peak years were in the early and mid 1930's, when Earl Averill was the hitting star. During his last years as an active pitcher, he worked hard with Bob Lemon to convert him from a position player into a Hall of Fame pitcher. Joe DiMaggio had much trouble hitting him. Harder was nearsighted and wore glasses.

After his playing career ended, he was the Indians pitching coach from 1948 to 1963 and also went 3-0 in two separate stints as the club's interim manager.

He later held coaching positions with the New York Mets (1964), Chicago Cubs (1965), Cincinnati Reds (1966-1968), and Kansas City Royals (1969).

He is currently # 68 on the list of career leaders for pitching wins, tied with Paul Derringer, and one win behind two Hall of Famers, Jim Bunning and Catfish Hunter.One of the most similar players to Harder, according to the similarity scores method, is a recent player, Jerry Reuss.