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When Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium hosted its first big league game in 1932, it was Mel Harder who threw the first pitch. Interestingly when the Indians played their final game there in 1993, they had Harder throw the final pitch in post-game ceremonies. In between Harder appeared in more games than any hurler in the history of the team. His 223 wins for the Indians remains second on the club’s all-time list more than 70 years after he retired.

In this handwritten letter, Harder outlines his association with Municipal Stadium. He writes, “The Cleveland Stadium was built in 1931 and the first game was played by the Indians in the stadium was July 31, 1932. I had the honor of pitching in that game. I lost 1-0 to Lefty Grove and the Phila Athletics managed by Connie Mack before 80,000 fans.

“I went on to pitch 17 more years in the stadium. Then 61 years later I had the honor of throwing the last pitch made in the stadium on Oct. 3, 1993 before 75,000 fans.”

Harder wrote the letter just four months after making that ceremonial final pitch of the stadium.

 

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During the 1930s Mel Harder was the only right-hander in Major League Baseball to post double-figure win totals each year of the decade. In fact, from 1932 until the end of the decade, he was the only big leaguer to win at least 15 games each year. By the time he retired in 1947, Harder’s 223 wins ranked atop the Indians franchise leaderboard. Though the mark has since been surpassed by Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, Harder still ranks second more than 70 years after his retirement.

When Harder left the game as a player, Indians owner Bill Veeck hired him as pitching coach for the entire Cleveland organization. Soon, Harder became the full-time pitching coach for the big club when no other team in baseball had such a position. From 1948-1953 Harder helped produced eleven 20-game winners for the Indians.

In this handwritten letter, baseball’s first pitching coach reflects on his those great Cleveland pitchers.

“Fellows like (Bob) Lemon, (Early) Wynn, (Mike) Garcia, Herb Score, and Bob Feller a short time, were easy to work with. They all wanted to be great pitchers. I enjoyed being a pitching coach and I knew that it takes a lot of work to become a great pitcher.”

For his work as a pitcher and as a pitching coach, Harder’s #18 was retired by the Indians in 1990.

 

 

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Mel Harder was one of the best pitchers during his 20-year big league career. A six-year veteran by the time the first All Star game was played in 1933, Harder nonetheless played in four Mid Summer Classics.

By the time his playing career was over in 1947, Harder tallied 223 victories – all with the Cleveland Indians. The three pitchers to win more contests during that time are all in the Hall of Fame.

In the collection is this 3×5 card in which Harder has listed the top four winners during his career. He writes,

“Wins 1928-1947

1. Lefty Grove
2. Red Ruffing
3. Carl Hubbell
4. Mel Harder 223 wins”

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Immediately after retiring as a player, Mel Harder began a long and prosperous coaching career. The Indians kept the Cleveland hero on staff from 1948 until 1963.

The 223-game winner’s coaching style was to ask questions and listen rather than purely instruct. His gentle way of handling both young and veteran players was well-received. From ’48-’53 he helped Indians pitcher produce eleven 20-win seasons.

In the collection is this 1960 Topps baseball card titled “Cleveland Indians Coaches” It is autographed by former Tribe pitchers Mel Harder and Bob Lemon.