Harry Wolverton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harry Sterling "Fighting Harry" Wolverton (December 6, 1873 - February 4, 1937) was a third baseman who played for the Chicago Orphans, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Senators, Boston Beaneaters, and New York Highlanders. He was considered a power hitter in his day, and he tied a major league record in 1900 by hitting three triples in one game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. At the end of the season, he was struck in the head by a pole beside the Philadelphia streetcar tracks, fracturing his skull. Amazingly, he recovered and his numbers didn't drop off. After a short stint with the Senators, he returned to third base for the Phillies, but in 1904, he was traded to the Boston Beaneaters, where he would play for one season before taking an extended hiatus from baseball.
In 1912, he was named manager of the woeful New York Highlanders, where he would lead them to a last-place finish and a 50-102 record (.329 winning percentage). He inserted himself into games as a pinch-hitter, but despite his efforts to reverse the team's fortunes, he was let go by New York after the 1912 season.
Wolverton died in Oakland, California at age 63.
Preceded by Hal Chase |
New York Highlanders Manager 1912 |
Succeeded by Frank Chance |
Categories: 1873 births | 1937 deaths | Chicago Orphans players | Philadelphia Phillies players | Washington Senators players | Boston Beaneaters players | New York Highlanders players | New York Highlanders managers | Baseball player-managers | Major league third basemen | Baseball third baseman stubs