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In many ways, Harlond Clift changed the way the baseball establishment viewed third basemen. Before Clift, the position was viewed much like middle infield positions – hitting proficiency was an afterthought to solid glovework. Clift and his bat changed that.

Signed by the St. Louis Browns as a teenager in 1932, Clift made it to the majors in 1934. In his first three seasons Clift tallied an on-base percentage of .396 while driving in 198 runs. Then in 1937 he hit 29 home runs to set the single-season record for third basemen. Clift was named to the All Star team and finished the season with a .302 batting average, a .960 OPS and 118 runs batted in.

The following season he was even better. Clift broke his own record for homers by a man at his position, slugging 34 round trippers. That mark would stand for 15 years until Hall of Fame third baseman Eddie Mathews went deep 47 times in 1953.

From 1935-1942 Clift hit .283 with a .404 on-base percentage and averaged more than 100 walks and runs scored per season. Twice he led AL third basemen in fielding percentage.

Clift played ten seasons for the Browns before suiting up for the Washington Senators from 1943-1945. After the 1953 season, the Browns relocated to Baltimore and became the Orioles. In 1961 the Senators became the Twins. Perhaps Clift would be better remembered if either of the clubs he played for existed today.

In the collection is this handwritten letter in which Clift writes, “I think some of the most exciting moments of my Baseball career was to play against such stars as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bob Feller, Joe DiMaggio, and in fact, all of the Major League players.”

Clift also writes about the day he earned the chance to be a regular in the big leagues. “The Spring Training of 1934…I hit a home run with the bases loaded in the last of the 9th inning off Carl Hubbell to win the game and a 3rd base job with the St. Louis Browns.”

Clift signed his name nearly at the bottom of the letter that’s dated May 25, 1970.