Harry Schaeffer

Harry Edward Schaeffer
(Lefty)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2½", Weight 175 lb.
• School East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
• High School Governor Mifflin High School
• Debut July 28, 1952
• Final Game August 20, 1952
• Born June 23, 1924 in Reading, PA USA
• Died July 12, 2008 in Shillington, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Harry Schaeffer served in the United States Navy during World War II. The 22-year-old left-hander returned in time to put together a 12-6 record with the Stroudsburg Poconos of the class D North Atlantic League in 1946. Harry was then obtained by the New York Yankees from Stroudsburg as part of a minor league working agreement before the 1947 season.

The Pennsylvania native spent until 1952 in the minors, working his way up the ladder. One of his good seasons came in 1948 with the Manchester Yankees of the class B New England League when he forged a league-leading 2.33 ERA and put together a 12-9 record while pitching 209 innings, plus making the All-Star team. Harry went all-out for the Beaumont Roughnecks of the 1951 Texas League when he went 19-9 with a 2.59 ERA while pitching 261 innings, opening the door for his trip to Yankee Stadium.

Schaeffer's major league career began and ended in 1952 when he lost his only decision in five games for the New York Yankees. Harry spent the rest of this season with the Kansas City Blues of the American Association and the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League, putting together a combined 7-5 record with a 3.07 ERA

The left-hander spent two more seasons in the minors, 1953 with Kansas City, winning 11 times and finishing up his minor league career in 1954 with both the Toledo Mud Hens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Harry ended his nine-season run with a 84-67 record and a 3.32 ERA while pitching 1,241 innings in 248 games.

Schaeffer earned a degree in education during the off-season, from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He was a long-time teacher, athletic director and baseball coach at Cocalico High School until his retirement in 1984. Schaeffer died on July 12, 2008 at the age of 84, in Shillington, PA.

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s

Related Sites

• BR Minors page