Harry Buker

Henry Leslie Buker
(Happy)

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Weight 140 lb.

• Debut June 11, 1884
• Final Game August 4, 1884
• Born 1859 in Portland, ME USA
• Died August 10, 1899 in Chicago, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Harry Buker played 30 games for the 1884 Detroit Wolverines at shortstop and in right field. He hit only .135, but then, the team hit only .208. The Wolverines would become a much better team in 1886, but in 1884 they went 28-84. Buker was one year younger than Ned Hanlon and two years older than Chief Zimmer. A SABR researcher found a head shot drawing of Buker in the Chicago Tribune issue of June 24, 1888.

"Buker, the Chicago boy who has been engaged to play right field with the Detroits, was a pupil at Hellmuth College, London, Ont., some years ago, and was reckoned as a brilliant ball player. He will be the lightest man in the nine, weighing less than 145 pounds, and although not a hard hitter, has the reputation of being a very safe batter." - Sporting Life, June 18, 1884