Catégorie
Athlete
Sport
Baseball
Ville natale
Dorchester
Année d'intronisation
1978
athlete
William "Billy" Harris (D)
MEMBRE HONORÉ
Biographie
Truly gifted and dedicated professional athletes are, at the best of times, hard to find.But gifted professional baseball players from a winter-sport oriented province like New Brunswick must be the rarest of the species.Dorchester’s Billy Harris was one of these. The transition from Junior baseball in Dieppe to Ebbett’s Field and the Brooklyn Dodgers almost defies belief, - for he is the only New Brunswicker, and one of but a handful of Canadians, to pitch in the modern era of major league baseball. Despite a succession of arm problems, his career took him to many major, minor, summer and winter league, teams and classifications.He won sixty per cent of the games hi pitched, and his single season earned-run average of 0.83 still stands as a record. He wound up his playing career in Montréal, and he continues to serve in the capacity of a west-coach scout for the National League Expos. Enrolled in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, June 3rd, 1978.
Faits rapides
Star pitcher with Dieppe Junior Cardinals, 1949 Maritime Junior champions, and 1950 Moncton Legionnaires, NB senior champions
Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951
Recorded 25 wins including 12 shout-outs, 6 losses, and a 0.83 earned run average with Miami of the Florida International League in 1952
Threw a no-hitter in Class AA ball in 1953
Made his only major league start for the Dodgers in 1957 against Philadelphia (lost 3-2)
Pitched 2-0 win for Montreal Royals to win the International League pennant in 1958
Pitched in relief for Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959
Professional minor league record 170 wins and 131 losses (1951-1964)