Wilmer Harris

Wilmer Harris

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• High School Central High School for Boys

• Debut 1945
• Final Game 1948
• Born March 1, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died December 23, 2004 in Philadelphia, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Wilmer Harris was a two-time All-Star in the last years of the Negro Leagues.

After playing on the sandlots of Philadelphia, Harris debuted as a pro with the Philadelphia Stars in 1945. He went 0-2 that year, 1-4 in 1946 and 3-1 in 1947. He had a 5-5, 2.78 record in 1950. He pitched the last three innings for the East in the 1951 East-West Game, replacing Kelly Searcy on the hill. He got the save in a 3-1 win, allowing two hits and no walks or runs in three innings while striking out four. He was 0 for 1 at the plate.

In his last season, 1952, he again tossed scoreless ball for the East, this time in a 7-3 loss in the 1952 East-West Game. He entered as a pinch-hitter for Ted Richardson in the 7th and went 1 for 2 as a hiter; on the mound, he gave up two hits and a walk in his three shutout innings, striking out none.

Harris also pitched in the Panamanian League (1945), Venezuelan League (1949) and Dominican League (1950).

Notable Achievements

• NNL Saves Leader (1945)

Sources

• 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
• NLBPA