Article: Tommy Harper is the OG Brewers Star

[reillymcshane]

In 1970, baseball was back in Milwaukee (much to the chagrin of Seattle fans). Sadly, it wasn't very good baseball. This was an expansion club after all. So, while wins were few and far between, Brewer fans did get to enjoy the performance of Tommy Harper, the organization's first all-star.

Tommy Harper was born in Louisiana in 1940. He came up through the Red organization as a right-handed hitting 2B/3B, showing an exceptional blend of speed, power and plate discipline. He got a cup of coffee in 1962 after putting up outstanding numbers at AAA (.333 BA, 26 HR, 100+ walks). He broke camp for the Reds the following season - and spent the next 14 seasons in the majors. The Reds moved Harper to the outfield in his rookie season, and except for a very good 1965, he provided solid, if unspectacular, numbers for the next few years.

After a disappointing 1967 campaign, Harper was shipped to Cleveland for one year, then acquired by the newly minted Seattle Pilots in the expansion draft.

Harper rejuvenated his career with the Pilots/Brewers. He showed versatility, playing 3B, 2B and OF - a trait that would extend his time in Milwaukee. In 1969, he struggled with a .235 BA, but added 95 walks, which produced a respectable .349 OBP. This allowed Harper to run wild - which he did - stealing a league leading (and still franchise record) 73 bases.

But Harper was destined for better things. After the club moved to Milwaukee in 1970, the 29-year-old Harper would have one of the best seasons ever produced by a Brewer hitter. He would slug 31 HRs, steal 38 bases, and put up a .296 BA and an .899 OPS (6th in the AL). It was all good enough for 7.4 bWAR. He is only one of 43 people in league history to be a part of the 30-30 club - 30 steals and 30 HRs. Harper's performance netted him his only all-star appearance, as well as a sixth place finish in the MVP voting.

Harper never again sniffed the numbers of his magical 1970 season (his next highest HR total was 18). The following season, he predictably regressed, finishing with a .717 OPS (his exact career number). Then the Brewers, looking to add power, dealt Harper to the Red Sox in a 10-player deal prior to the 1972 season - netting the Brewers slugger George Scott.

Harper played three seasons for Boston, then parts of two seasons with the Angels, Orioles and A's. He was done as a player in 1976 at age 35. He coached after his playing career, working in the Yankees, Expos and Red Sox organizations. In 2010, he was named to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in acknowledgement of his long career with the organization as a player, coach and instructor.

Harper's time with the franchise wasn't long - just three years. But he represents the first great season that a Brewer ever produced. In both Seattle and Milwaukee, he holds the distinction of being the first player to get an at-bat. His 7.4 bWAR season ranks as the franchise's 4th best ever. His 95 walks, while with the Pilots, rank 8th best.

In the stolen base department, he holds the sixth spot with 136 career swipes, and - as noted - he still holds the franchise record with 73 SBs. For his Brewer career, he had a respectable .763 OPS, and his versatility was a great attribute for the club.

Other highlights of Harper's career include a 24-game hitting streak in 1966, a four stolen base performance with the Pilots in 1969, and 408 career stolen bases to go with 146 HRs.

Please share your memories of Milwaukee's first all-star - Tommy Harper.

 

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[Jim French Stepstool]

In a publication previewing the 1971 baseball season, it said of the Brewers that they took their best shot right away (Harper led off) and then waited three innings to take it again. With apologies to Danny Walton, that was pretty accurate.

I remember him entering the '70 ASG as a pinch runner, and Johnny Bench throwing him out on a steal attempt.

I think it's very cool that his 73 steals has stood up all these years as the franchise record. I believe Podsednik came closest to reaching it but fell just short.