Books and articles about Harry Craft

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In his day, it was said nobody played centerfield better than Harry Craft. His bat was adequate and he had fair power, but his glove and arm made him valuable on a Cincinnati team that won titles in 1939 and 1940 with stellar defense and superb pitching. Craft's disputed home run in the Polo Grounds in 1939 hastened the advent of foul pole screens. He managed a series of unsuccessful major league teams, including the expansion Houston Colt .45's, and never finished higher than seventh in seven seasons. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 17, 1939: Boston Bees P Fred Frankhouse beans Harry Craft of the Reds and is accused of throwing spitballs. Boston wins 6–1. » June 8, 1940: At Cincinnati, reliever Carl Doyle of the Dodgers gives up 16 hits and 14 runs in just four innings, as the Reds pound out 27 hits in a 23–2 win, regaining 1st place. Cincy is paced by Harry Craft, who hits for the cycle and adds a single and scores four runs. Teammate Frank McCormick scores five runs. Doyle also manages to throw two wild pitches and hit four Cincinnati batters in the game to help set a bitter tone to the Cincinnati-Dodgers rivalry, which will continue through the decade. Doyle, however, won't be around as Brooklyn ships him to the Cards in four days. His four hit batsmen ties an National League record. » May 30, 1942: The Reds split a twinbill with the Cardinals but lose three outfielders to injuries in the process. After Johnny Vander Meer wins the opener, 3–2, the Cards take the nitecap 10–5. Mike McCormick breaks his leg sliding into 2B in Game One and Harry Craft and Gee Walker are knocked out when they collide in the 8th inning of game 2. » November 18, 1959: Kansas City announces that Bob Elliott will be its new manager, replacing the often-ill Harry Craft, who was released at the end of the season. » September 19, 1964: The Colt 45s drop Harry Craft (61-88) as manager. He is replaced by Lum Harris.