Harry Fritz

Harry Koch Fritz
(Dutchman)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut September 29, 1913
• Final Game September 18, 1915
• Born September 30, 1890 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died November 4, 1974 in Upper Arlington, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Harry Fritz played three years in the majors, mostly in the Federal League. He was the regular third baseman for the Chicago Whales in 1915.

Fritz was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1890. He played for the Wilmington Chicks of the Tri-State League in 1911-1913 and came up with the Philadelphia Athletics near the end of September of 1913, playing five games. It was a year in which the A's won the 1913 World Series with Home Run Baker as their third baseman.

After the season he jumped to the new Federal League. It would have been very hard for Fritz to break into the A's famous $100,000 infield, while here in the Federal League, he had more of a chance to play, playing in 144 games in 1914 and 1915. [1]

In his first year for manager Joe Tinker, Fritz played in 65 games for the 1914 Chicago Chi-Feds. Rollie Zeider was the regular third baseman, but Fritz was the most utilized back-up player on the team, which finished in second place in the league. In 1915, Fritz became the regular as Zeider moved to second base. The team again finished in second place, but the league never played another season.

Fritz played with the Syracuse Stars of the New York State League in 1916.

He lived a long life, dying in 1974 near Columbus, OH.

Related Sites

Find-A-Grave Memorial for Harry Fritz