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Harry Coveleski
Nickname(s): The Giant Killer
1886-1950

  • Brother of Stan Coveleski
    [Courtesy Arnie Braunstein]
  • LHP 1907-10, 14-18 Phillies, Reds, Tigers

    Harry Coveleski's Teammates

    IPW-LERA
    Career 124881-552.39

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    Thrust into the midst of a furious pennant race when he was called up by the Phillies in late September 1908, Coveleski defeated the contending Giants three times in five days, enabling the Cubs to win the flag. Coveleski earned a $50 bonus and the nickname "The Giant Killer." He slumped in 1909, was traded, and returned to the minors. Resurfacing with the Tigers in 1914, he put together three straight 20-win seasons while losing no more than 13.

    Coveleski and three brothers (including Hall of Famer Stanley) came out of the Pennsylvania coal fields to play pro ball. (ArB/JL)


    Contribute your recollections of Harry Coveleski by clicking here.
    FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
    » October 3, 1908: The incident of September 23rd would have become just another odd event in baseball if the Giants had been able to handle the 4th-place Phillies. But rookie lefthander Harry Coveleski, just up from the minor leagues, earns the nickname "Giant Killer" by beating them 3–2, for the 3rd time in five days. Christy Mathewson takes the loss.

    » May 4, 1910: President Taft takes in two games starting with the Reds and the Cardinals at Robison Field in St. Louis. The Cards score five in the 1st as Reds pitchers Fred Beebe, Walt Slagle (in his only ML appearance) and Harry Coveleski will eventually walk a record 16 in the 12–3 loss. The Cards walk seven to total a record 23. Taft doesn't stick around. He leaves for Sportsman's Park in hopes of seeing some good baseball and is rewarded by a 3–3, 14-inning battle between the Browns' Joe Lake and the Naps' Cy Young that ends in darkness. There will be a record 19 ties in the AL this year.

    » May 30, 1914: At St. Louis, the Browns and Tigers combine for just 11 hits in a doubleheader. Detroit's Harry Coveleski tosses a one-hitter in the opener to win, 2–1. The Tigers manage four hits off Earl Hamilton. Carl Weilman then wins for the Browns in the 2nd game, 2–1, outpitching Miles Main. Both pitchers allows just three hits, with Sam Crawford collecting two of the three Bengal bingles. The Tigers miss Ty Cobb, sitting with a cracked rib, who will not return until June 5th.

    » April 12, 1916: Harry Coveleski gives up just three hits, and collects four himself including a double and triple, as the Tigers beat the White Sox 4–0 in Chicago. Hundreds of fans complain that their clothes are ruined by fresh green paint recently applied to the grandstand seats.

    » April 17, 1916: Detroit scores a 12-inning 3–1 victory over Stan Coveleski, in his first year at Cleveland. Righthander George Cunningham fills in when Tiger ace Harry Coveleski refuses to take the mound against his younger brother. Sam Crawford's consecutive-game streak ends at 472. He played in every Tiger game in 1913 through 1915.

    » September 4, 1916: In Detroit, the Coveleski brothers appear together in the same game for the only time in their careers. Stan starts for the Indians and gets knocked out in Detroit's 5-run first inning. Harry relieves later on in the game as Detroit wins, 7–5.