2 Joe Harrises, 1 Spectacular Failure, 1 Moderate Success

pholmer · 07-30-2025, 09:52 PM

Two players named Joe Harris played in the early 20th century. I will refer to them as JH05 & JH14; the numbers refer to the year their MLB careers began. JH05 began his career as a pitcher with the Americans (Red Sox) late in the 1905 season. He was called up after a 25-9 season with the Fall River minor league team that year. His rookie year record was an unremarkable 1-2, but Boston kept him in '06, perhaps hoping he'd find that winning form he had in Fall River. He had a spectacularly bad season, posting a 2-21 record. Back to the minors in '07 he returned to winning firm with a 16-9 record with Providence. Boston plucked him away to the majors again, but were disappointed again when JH05 posted a 0-7 win-loss score in '07. It's a story we've seen many times in professional sports that leaves fans, coaches, and undoubtably the player himself wondering what in hell happened? Boston gave JH05 3 shots at success in the big leagues, but for whatever reasons, he couldn't succeed. His MLB record was 3-30.

However, if you try to get a photo of JH05 from the OOTP photos folder, the default picture is JH14, not JH05. Note that he is listed as a 1st baseman, not a pitcher.

pholmer · 07-30-2025, 10:00 PM

This is the real Joe Harris, JH05.

pholmer · 07-30-2025, 10:39 PM

I always thought JH14 was a long-time Yankee; I apparently got that idea years from a list of Yankee single season batting averages. He did start his career with the Yankees in 1914, but he didn't play much during that one season. He did develop into a pretty good journeyman player hit for average and was a good defensive player at first base and in left field. He didn't ever seem to find a home. He moved around, playing for Cleveland, Boston, and Washington in the American League. In 1927, he moved to Pittsburgh in the National League and had a very good year. The next year, he was batting .391 for the Pirates when he was apparently traded to Brooklyn. After the trade, his BA fell over 150 points, and at 37 he retired. His lifetime BA was.317, he had nearly 1,000 hits and over 500 RBIs, walked more than twice as many times as he struck out, and received MVP votes in 1922 & 23 while playing for Boston. Not a bad career for JH14.

pholmer · 07-30-2025, 10:52 PM

To conclude:
Joe Harris (JH05) was a pitcher for the Boston Amerians (Red Sox) from 1905-07.
Joe Harris (JH14) was a 1st baseman and left fielder for six different teams from 1914-28.
I have some additional photos which I will post later, along with notes on how I labelled them for my OOTP 26 photos folder.

pholmer · 07-31-2025, 03:26 AM

Here are the additional photos. Also I will post JH05's stats including his minor league successes.

07-30-2025, 09:52 PM	#1
pholmer Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	2 Joe Harrises, 1 Spectacular Failure, 1 Moderate Success Two players named Joe Harris played in the early 20th century. I will refer to them as JH05 & JH14; the numbers refer to the year their MLB careers began. JH05 began his career as a pitcher with the Americans (Red Sox) late in the 1905 season. He was called up after a 25-9 season with the Fall River minor league team that year. His rookie year record was an unremarkable 1-2, but Boston kept him in '06, perhaps hoping he'd find that winning form he had in Fall River. He had a spectacularly bad season, posting a 2-21 record. Back to the minors in '07 he returned to winning firm with a 16-9 record with Providence. Boston plucked him away to the majors again, but were disappointed again when JH05 posted a 0-7 win-loss score in '07. It's a story we've seen many times in professional sports that leaves fans, coaches, and undoubtably the player himself wondering what in hell happened? Boston gave JH05 3 shots at success in the big leagues, but for whatever reasons, he couldn't succeed. His MLB record was 3-30. However, if you try to get a photo of JH05 from the OOTP photos folder, the default picture is JH14, not JH05. Note that he is listed as a 1st baseman, not a pitcher. Attached Images Last edited by pholmer; 07-30-2025 at 09:54 PM.

07-30-2025, 10:00 PM	#2
pholmer Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	2 Joe Harrises This is the real Joe Harris, JH05. Attached Images

07-30-2025, 10:39 PM	#3
pholmer Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	2 Joe Harrises I always thought JH14 was a long-time Yankee; I apparently got that idea years from a list of Yankee single season batting averages. He did start his career with the Yankees in 1914, but he didn't play much during that one season. He did develop into a pretty good journeyman player hit for average and was a good defensive player at first base and in left field. He didn't ever seem to find a home. He moved around, playing for Cleveland, Boston, and Washington in the American League. In 1927, he moved to Pittsburgh in the National League and had a very good year. The next year, he was batting .391 for the Pirates when he was apparently traded to Brooklyn. After the trade, his BA fell over 150 points, and at 37 he retired. His lifetime BA was.317, he had nearly 1,000 hits and over 500 RBIs, walked more than twice as many times as he struck out, and received MVP votes in 1922 & 23 while playing for Boston. Not a bad career for JH14. Attached Images

07-30-2025, 10:52 PM	#4
pholmer Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	2 Joe Harrises To conclude: Joe Harris (JH05) was a pitcher for the Boston Amerians (Red Sox) from 1905-07. Joe Harris (JH14) was a 1st baseman and left fielder for six different teams from 1914-28. I have some additional photos which I will post later, along with notes on how I labelled them for my OOTP 26 photos folder. Last edited by pholmer; 07-31-2025 at 03:25 AM.

07-31-2025, 03:26 AM	#5
pholmer Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 174	2 Joe Harrises Here are the additional photos. Also I will post JH05's stats including his minor league successes. Attached Images