Candy Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Candy Harris |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinch runner / Pinch hitter | |||
| Born: September 17, 1947 Selma, Alabama |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| April 13, 1967, for the Houston Astros | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| April 27, 1967, for the Houston Astros | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Games played | 6 | ||
| At bats | 1 | ||
| Hits | 0 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Alonzo Harris was born on September 17, 1947. He is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Houston Astros. His time in the major leagues was short, lasting only from April 13 to April 27 in 1967.
Before joining the Astros, Alonzo was first signed by the Baltimore Orioles. This happened in 1966, right after he finished high school at John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles. Later that year, the Houston Astros chose him from the Orioles in a special draft.
Early Baseball Days
Alonzo Harris spent one season playing in the Orioles' minor league system. This is like a training ground for young players before they reach the big leagues. He played 97 games for three different teams. During this time, he was a good hitter, getting 95 hits out of 331 tries.
While playing for the Bluefield Orioles, Alonzo was known for being very fast. He played as an outfielder, which means he played defense in the large grassy area of the baseball field. He led his league with 34 stolen bases in just 58 games. A stolen base is when a runner on base advances to the next base while the pitcher is throwing the ball to home plate.
Time with the Houston Astros
Alonzo started the 1967 season with the Houston Astros. He was only 19 years old, making him one of the youngest players in the National League that year.
During his short time with the Astros, Alonzo was mostly used as a pinch runner. This means he would enter the game to run the bases for another player who was already on base. He did this five times. He also came in once as a pinch hitter, which means he batted in place of another player. He never got to play defense in a major league game.
In his only chance to bat in a major League game, he faced Mel Queen from the Cincinnati Reds. Alonzo struck out, which means he missed three pitches.
Interestingly, another famous player, pitcher Tom Seaver, also made his major league debut on the very same day as Alonzo Harris: April 13, 1967.
Alonzo's baseball career was cut short because he joined the military service in May 1967. After that, he never played in a major league game again.
