Mel Harder

Melvin Leroy Harder
Nickname: Chief
Born: Oct. 15, 1909 in Beemer, Neb.
Died: Oct. 20, 2002
Debut: 1928 | Pos: P
Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 195 | B: R | T: R

Yrs	G	IP	W	L	Sv	SO	ERA
20	582	3426.1	233	186	23	1161	3.80

>> Visit the Mel Harder biography on Baseball Almanac for complete statistics.

Mel Harder pitched for 20 years in Major League Baseball and at the time of his death on Oct. 20, 2002, he was one of only 5 players still living who saw action in the 1920s. Harder was 93.

Harder's health had been failing in the past few years, according to reports, and he was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2001.

His 20-season career was all spend in an Indians' uniform. His pitching style revolved around his curveball and excellent control. From 1928 to 1947, he pitched 3426.1 innings, won 223 games and posted a 3.80 ERA. He finished with 22 wins in 1934 and 20 wins in 1935.

Only Bob Feller has more wins than Harder in a Cleveland uniform.

He appeared in four All-Star Games and set a record with 13 consecutive innings without an earned run. He won one All-Star game and earned a save in 2 others.

In 1941, he was the warm-up act for Joe DiMaggio's famed 56-game hitting streak. On the day before the streak started, the Yankees' outfielder was held hitless by Harder.

In 1990, the Cleveland Indians retired his No. 18. He was also named to the club's all-time team that was announced in 2001.

After his retirement as a player, Harder served as a coach until he retired in 1969. According to the Indians web site, he is the only Major League player to compile a 20-year playing career and a 20-year coaching career.

Hall of Famer Ted Williams had pushed for Harder's inclusion in the Hall, but it never came.

Sources: Associated Press, Oct. 20, 2002: Mel Harder Dies; Cleveland Indians official release, 2002