Billy Harrell
| Billy Harrell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: July 18, 1928 Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Died: May 6, 2014 (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 runs | 8 |
| Runs batted in | 26 |
| Teams | |
| |
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.
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 college basketball for Siena College[3] where he left as the schools all time leader in career points.[4] He was drafted by the Indianapolis Olympians in the 1952 NBA draft[5] and later played professional basketball for the Lenox Merchants in the 1950s.[6][7] 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.[8] he was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York.
References
[edit]- ^ "Billy Harrell". nlbpa.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ Brian Engelhardt. "Billy Harrell". sabr.org. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ "Billy Harrell to leave many records at Siena". The Times Record. February 12, 1952. p. 16. Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indianapolis drafts Harrell; NBA bars order of selection". The Troy Record. April 28, 1952. p. 15. Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Billy Harrell drafted by Indianapolis". The Bennington Evening Banner. April 28, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Harrell to be given day sunday afternoon at Armory". The Berkshire Eagle. March 5, 1954. p. 20. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roger O'Gara (March 8, 1954). "Harrell stars on his day in leading Merchants to 93-84 win over Rens". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Singelais, Mark (May 6, 2014). "Siena Legend Harrell dies at 85". Times Union. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors) or Retrosheet
- Billy Harrell at Find a Grave
- 1928 births
- 2014 deaths
- 20th-century African-American sportsmen
- 21st-century African-American sportsmen
- African-American baseball players
- American men's basketball players
- Baseball players from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Basketball players from Pennsylvania
- Birmingham Black Barons players
- Boston Red Sox players
- Boston Red Sox scouts
- Burials at Oakwood Cemetery (Troy, New York)
- Cedar Rapids Indians players
- Cleveland Indians players
- Indianapolis Indians players
- Indianapolis Olympians draft picks
- Major League Baseball infielders
- Portland Beavers players
- Reading Indians players
- Rochester Red Wings players
- San Diego Padres (minor league) players
- Seattle Rainiers players
- Siena Saints baseball players
- Siena Saints men's basketball players
- Baseball players from Troy, New York
- Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players