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Harridge, Will
William Harridge
Born:
October 16, 1883, Chicago, Illinois
Died:
April 9, 1971, Evanston, Illinois
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee:
1972
Biography:
Will Harridge earned his start in baseball in 1911 when American League founder and President Ban Johnson hired the railway ticket clerk to work for him. Johnson's personal secretary from 1911-1927, he became American League secretary in 1927. Harridge became league president in 1931 and held that post until his retirement in 1958. He was a modest human being who successfully promoted the league without personally seeking the spotlight.
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Did You Know:
that Will Harridge was instrumental in convincing American League club owners to play an interleague All-Star game, thus beginning the mid-summer tradition that started in 1933?
Harridge's greatest contribution to the changing baseball scene during his 27-year term as president was the All-Star Game. He had great pride in the American League. He wanted to win every All-Star Game just as much as he did the World Series.
Sporting News, 1971
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This Day in Baseball History
On May 22, 1968, Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell hits three home runs in a 13-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The future Hall of Famer just misses a fourth home run when he hits a long double that bounces off the railing of the left field bleachers at Wrigley Field.