gold star for USAHOF

136. Mel Harder

  • Published in Baseball
  • Read 1508 times
  • Rate this item
    (2 votes)
136. Mel Harder
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: October 15, 1909 in Beemer, NE USA
  • Weight: 195 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 24, 1928
  • Final Game: September 07, 1947
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1934
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1935
  • MVP - 1934
  • MVP - 1935
  • MVP - 1938
 
WLERAGGSSVIPSO
2231864.06582433233,426.31160
 

A Cleveland Indian for his entire career, Mel Harder debuted for the Tribe in 1928, where he was used in relief in his first two seasons when he was on their main roster and not in the minors.

The Nebraskan would be part of the Indians' rotation for a decade, and the control pitcher would win the ERA Title in 1933 and was first in BB/9 in 1935.  The four-time All-Star finished in the top ten in BB/9 eight times, WHIP six times, and ERA six times.  Seven times he was in the top ten in SO/BB, which was very impressive considering that he only had one 100 Strikeout season.  From 1932 to 1939, he never had less than 15 Wins in a year.

While Harder’s skills began to erode in the 1940s, he lasted until 1947.  Although the Indians never made the playoffs while he was there, Harder is one of best hurlers in franchise history.  He retired with 223 Wins against 186 Losses.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Beemer, Arkansas, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Thursday, 01 January 1953
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Cleveland Indians
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None) 
    All-Star (4) (AL) (1934, 1935, 1936 & 1937)
    Lowest ERA (1) (AL) (1933)
    Lowest BB/9 (1) (AL) (1935)
    Most Shutouts (1) (AL) (1934) 
    Highest ERA+ (1) (AL) (1933)
    Highest Win Probability Added (AL) (1) (1934) 
    Most Putouts by a Pitcher (AL) (4) (1932, 1933, 1935 & 1938)
    Most Assists by a Pitcher (AL) (3) (1932, 1933 & 1935)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Pitcher (AL) (2) (1933 & 1935)
  • Other Points of Note:

    6 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    1 Top Ten Finish (H/9)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Saves)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)                 
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    7 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    74. Win Probability Added: 25.3
    74. Wins: 223
    78. Assists by a Pitcher: 734
    82. Innings Pitched: 3,426.1
    85. Championship Win Probability Added: 28.5
    97. Games Started: 433
    98. Putouts by a Pitcher: 209
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1949: 2.6%
    1950: 1.2%
    1951: 0.4%
    1952: 4.3%
    1953: 3.0%
    1958: 2.3%
    1960: 4.5%
    1962: 4.4%
    1964: 25.4%
    1964: Run Off 7.0%
    1966: 11.3%
    1967: 17.8%
    1967: Run Off 4.6%
  • Should be Inducted As A: Cleveland Indian

Should Mel Harder be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 33.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 66.7%
Tagged under

Related items

More in this category: « 135. Vern Stephens 137. Johnny Damon »

Comments powered by CComment