Red Sox in Cooperstown Pt. 40: Bucky Harris

BUCKY HARRIS
Years in Boston: 1934 (76-76)
Best Year in Boston: 1934 (76-76)

Bucky Harris was a manager for 29 years, compiling a lifetime record of 2,158-2,219.  Despite the bad record, he is in the Hall of Fame because of his managerial career.  Part of the reason for the bad record is the fact that he was the manager for the Washington Senators for 18 of those years over three separate stints.  He was the manager for them in 1924 when they won the World Series and 1925 when they lost the World Series.  He also managed the Yankees to a World Championship in 1947.  He also served stints with the Tigers and Phillies.

Harris played twelve seasons in the Majors, primarily with the Senators, for whom he was the player-manager.  His best season was in 1920 when he hit .300/.377/.381 with one home run and 68 RBIs.  His playing career was over before he made it to Boston in 1934.

The 1934 Red Sox were a team in transition.  Tom Yawkey was starting to populate the team with good players for the first time in several years.  Most notably 1934 was the year Lefty Grove was acquired by the Red Sox, joining Rick Ferrell from the season before.  The Red Sox finished 76-76 and ended up in fourth place.  It was the team's highest finish in years.  But the next season, Yawkey opened his pocketbook to bring in Joe Cronin, a player-manager and Harris was out.  Harris switched places with Cronin, managing the Senators again.

It is safe to say Harris is not in the Hall of Fame due to his term managing the Red Sox.  His plaque bears a Senators cap.