Spence Harris
| Birthdate | 8/12/1900 |
| Death Date | 7/3/1982 |
| Debut Year | 1924 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Athletics, MiLB, Senators, White Sox |
| Positions | Outfield, Pinch Hitter |
Though he played 4 MLB seasons, Spence Harris holds the minor league record for hits, runs, and doubles. He finished with 3,632 hits as a pro.
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Spence Harris had one of the best minor league careers of all time
Spence Harris had one of the best minor league careers of all time
In the collection is a season pass for the 1979 Minnesota Twins issued to Spence Harris. Harris played 26 seasons in the minor leagues, hitting .330 in his final season as a 47-year-old outfielder for the Yakima Packers in 1948.
He holds the all-time minor league records for at bats, hits, runs, and doubles. Harris’ big league career was less spectacular. It consisted of 164 games sprinkled over four different seasons with the White Sox, Senators, and Athletics from 1925-1930.
Even noted baseball fans overlook the professional baseball career that started in 1921 and lasted until 1948.
One of the few minor leaguers who can rival Harris’ time in the bushes is Jigger Statz. Though Harris outpaces him in most places on the all-time Minor League leaderboard, Statz played in more than four times as many games in the majors. Statz is one of 9 men to amass 4,000 hits as a pro.
Spence Harris remained close to the game for all of his life
Spence Harris remained close to the game for all of his life
Many fans would love to have a pass allowing them into every home game of their hometown team. This one was issued by Minnesota to Spence Harris in 1979.
Shown here is the reverse of the pass that states, “The American League Baseball Club (Minnesota Twins) is pleased to issue this pass to you personally. We feel that your position entitles you to this courtesy.”
While it remains unknown what, if any, position Harris held for the Twins in ’79, he was a local resident of Minneapolis until he passed away in 1982.
Harris was traded by Boston to the PCL's Padres for Ted Williams
Harris was traded by Boston to the PCL's Padres for Ted Williams
Best known for recording the most hits (3,538) in minor league history, Spence Harris was involved with a trade for one of the majors’ greatest batters.
On December 9, 1937 Harris was sent by the Red Sox to the Pacific Coast League’s San Diego Padres as part of a four-player trade. In return Boston acquired the great Ted Williams.
The Splendid Splinter won two Triple Crowns, six batting championships, and retired with the highest career on-base percentage at .482.
In the collection is this Major League Baseball Players Association document. Teddy Ballgame has filled it out entirely in his hand, lending his signature to the top.
The document reads in part, “In order to have the Association act on matters important to you and the Association itself we would appreciate your stating any opinions or suggestions you may have. These opinions and suggestions will be treated with the upmost confidence and will be categorized and analyzed.”
Interestingly, Williams suggests playing double headers as two 7-inning contests. More importantly the eagle-eyed Red Sox hitter writes, “Improve Baltimore, Chicago & KC backgrounds, check intensity of lights in the older parks”.
