Harry Kincannon
Harry Kincannon
(Tin Can)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 172 lb.
- Debut 1933
- Final Game 1939
- Born July 26, 1909 in Northfork, WV USA
- Died October 21, 1965 in Beckley, WV USA¸
Biographical Information[edit]
Harry Kincannon pitched for a decade in the Negro Leagues, making one East-West Game. He was known for his sharp curveball.
Kincannon joined the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1930 and went 4-4 for them in 1932; as Cum Posey overhauled the club as it rose to prominence, Harry was one of three original members to survive.
In 1933, "Tin Can" again was 4-4. He went 3-0 in 1934 and relieved Slim Jones in the 1934 East-West Game. After allowing 4 hits but no runs in two innings, he was yanked in favor of Satchel Paige, who completed the 1-0 shutout victory for the East. In a 1935 playoff against the New York Cubans, Kincannon got the call in game one and lost.
At age 26/27, Harry went 1-2 for the 1936 Crawfords. He faced a white MLB All-Star team that October in Mexico City; against Heinie Manush, Jimmie Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, Doc Cramer, Pinky Higgins, Red Kress, Eric McNair and Luke Sewell, Kincannon was on the losing end of a 11-1 decision against Ted Lyons. Pittsburgh traded him to the New York Black Yankees and he went 1-2 for them in 1937, then he briefly joined the Homestead Grays.
In 1938, the curveball artist was 1-1 for the Washington Black Senators, followed by a 1-0 season for the Crawfords, now based in Toledo for a career record of 15-13.
Kincannon was known for being a "dandy" and his fine dancing. He used to carry a pistol around and once threatened to shoot any teammates who touched his food. When he fell asleep, the other players emptied the gun, ate his chicken and made a necklace out of the chicken bones to drape around his neck. Harry laughed about the prank.
Notable Achievements[edit]
- NNL All-Star (1934)
- NNL Saves Leader (1933)
Sources:[edit]
- The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
- The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
- Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester
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