Joe Berry (berryjo02)

Joseph Howard Berry Jr.
(Nig)

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 159 lb.
• School University of Pennsylvania
• Debut July 18, 1921
• Final Game May 16, 1922
• Born December 31, 1894 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died April 29, 1976 in Philadelphia, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Joe Berry had a busy life. His father, also known as Joe, had played MLB with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1902, and Howard, who was known as "Joe" in baseball circles, followed him to the majors in 1921 and 1922 with the New York Giants. The Giants won the World Series both years in which Berry played for them, although he never had more than a cup of coffee, playing fewer than 10 games each season, and only appearing as a pinch runner in the second of these.

Berry was born in Philly and attended Muhlenberg College before getting his degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He was an All-American fullback in college, a baseball star, and an intercollegiate track champion in the pentathlon. He was captain of the baseball team in 1917, a year in which Roy Thomas was the coach. He was in the Army in 1916, involved in action on the border with Mexico. He was in the Marines in World War II, rising to the rank of colonel, and serving in the South Pacific. He became a politician in Philadelphia after his baseball days, serving as a tax assessor.

Source: University of Pennsylvania online archives.