Description
On 5-26-59, Harvey "The Kitten" Haddix Jr (1925-1994), a left-handed pitcher, pitched perhaps the greatest game in baseball history, when he faced Lew Burdette & the Milwaukee Braves, pitching 12 perfect innings. He would lose the game in the 13th inning on an error, sacrifice bunt, intentional walk to Hank Aaron, and 3 run HR by Joe Adcock. The final score would be 1-0, as Adcock was only credited with a double, as Aaron left the base-paths. Haddix himself pitched 14 seasons in the majors and had a successful career, after serving in the Korean War in 1951, pitching for the Cardinals (1952-1956), Phillies (1956-1957), Reds (1958), Pirates (1959-1963), and Orioles (1963-1964). He was a 3-time All-Star, and 3-time gold glove winner, pitching in 453 games, with a record of 136-113, 20 shut-outs, 20 saves, a 3.63 ERA, and hit .212, with 4 HRs, and 64 RBIs. Both a starter & reliever during his career, Haddix was a career best 20-9 with league leading 6 shut-outs in 1953, finishing 2nd in N.L. ROY, 17th in MVP, and making the All-Star team. He was a member of the Pirates' 1960 world championship team, and was the winning pitcher of the decisive 7th game on Bill Mazeroski's 9th inning walk-off HR. After his playing days, Haddix was pitching coach for the Mets (1966-1967), Reds (1969), Red Sox (1971), Indians (1972-1975), and Pirates (1979-1984). He died of emphysema 1-8-94 at age 68.
