Harry Heilmann
| Birthdate | 8/3/1894 |
| Death Date | 7/9/1951 |
| Debut Year | 1914 |
| Year of Induction | 1952 |
| Teams | Reds, Tigers |
| Positions | First Base, Right Field |
Harry Heilmann is one of only six American League players to hit .400 for a season. From 1921-27 he averaged .380 with a .452 on-base percentage.
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Despite an outstanding career Harry Heilmann is one of baseball's forgotten greats
Despite an outstanding career Harry Heilmann is one of baseball's forgotten greats
Harry Heilmann won four batting crowns with averages of .403, .398, .394, and .393. During his peak from 1921-1927 he averaged 116 runs batted in, 41 doubles, 11 triples, and 104 runs. His slash line of .380/.452/.584 resulted in a 167 OPS+.
Only six American Leaguers have topped the .400 mark – Nap Lajoie, George Sisler, Ty Cobb, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ted Williams, and Heilmann. In his 17-year big league career, Heilmann hit .342 with 2,660 hits, and 1,543 RBI.
Despite his many accomplishments, Heilmann is a Hall of Famer who’s largely forgotten today.
In the collection is this government postcard mailed form Detroit with a 1949 postmark.
After retiring as a player, Heilmann went into the Detroit broadcast booth
After retiring as a player, Heilmann went into the Detroit broadcast booth
Though Harry Heilmann’s playing career ended in 1932, he remained close to the Tigers and baseball. Starting in 1934 he was the play-by-play man for Detroit for 17 years.
The previous image showed Heilmann’s signature on a voernment postcard. The image above reveals a postmark that gives the signature content.
It is dated April 26, 1949 from Detroit in Heilmann’s penultimate season as Tigers announcer. That day the Bengals squared off in a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. In the first game Virgil Trucks got the win behind Vic Wertz’s 3-run homer in the 7th inning.
The Tigers tamed the White Sox in the second game to earn the sweep in Chiacgo. Pitcher Dizzy Trout earned a save in game one and the win in game two.
As was customary at the time, Heilmann as radio announcer did not travel with the team.
Heilman played 15 years in Detroit and announced for the Tigers for 17 more
Heilman played 15 years in Detroit and announced for the Tigers for 17 more
In the collection is this 1922 exhibit card featuring Detroit slugger Harry Heilmann. Eight seasons of 100+ runs batted in helped Heilmann compile 1,540 career RBI. A Major Leaguer from 1914-1932, Heilmann received votes in Most Valuable Player Award balloting in seven different seasons.
The right fielder played 15 of his 17 seasons in the Motor City. When his playing career ended, Heilmann became a play-by-play announcer for the Tigers from 1934-1950.
