Billy Harrell

Summary

William Harrell (July 18, 1928 – May 6, 2014) was an American reserve infielder in Major League Baseball who played between 1955 and 1961 for the Cleveland Indians (1955, 1957–1958) and Boston Red Sox (1961). Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m), 180 pounds (82 kg), Harrell batted and threw right-handed.

Billy Harrell
Infielder
Born: (1928-07-18)July 18, 1928
Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: May 6, 2014(2014-05-06) (aged 85)
Albany, New York, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 1955, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 20, 1961, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average.231
Home runs8
Runs batted in26
Teams

Harrell attended Siena College, and began his professional career with the Negro league Birmingham Black Barons in 1951.[1][2] He was signed by Cleveland in 1952.

In a four-season career, Harrell was a .231 hitter (79-for-342) with eight home runs and 26 RBI in 173 games, including 54 runs, seven doubles, one triple, and 17 stolen bases. In 151 games as an infielder, he appeared at shortstop (77), third base (62), second (8) and first (3), and also played right field in one game, posting a collective fielding percentage of .952.

After finishing his professional playing career in the Red Sox farm system in 1966, Harrell briefly served as a Boston scout.

In 1966, Harrell became the third alumnus to be inducted into the Siena Athletics Hall of Fame.

In 2000, Harrell was named by Times Union as one of the top 10 athletes for the Capital Region for the 20th Century.

Basketball edit

Harrell played professional basketball for the Lenox Merchants in the 1950s.[3][4] On January 13, 2006, Harrell became the first Siena Saints basketball player to have his jersey number (#10) retired by the school.

Death edit

Harrell died May 6, 2014, at his home in Albany, New York. He was 85.[5] he was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York.

References edit

  1. ^ "Billy Harrell". nlbpa.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  2. ^ Brian Engelhardt. "Billy Harrell". sabr.org. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  3. ^ "Harrell to be given day sunday afternoon at Armory". The Berkshire Eagle. 5 March 1954. p. 20. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ Roger O'Gara (8 March 1954). "Harrell stars on his day in leading Merchants to 93-84 win over Rens". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ Singelais, Mark (May 6, 2014). "Siena Legend Harrell dies at 85". Times Union. Retrieved May 6, 2014.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors) or Retrosheet
  • Billy Harrell at Find a Grave