Willie Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willie Harris |
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Harris with the New York Mets in 2011
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| Outfielder / Second baseman / Coach | |||
| Born: June 22, 1978 Cairo, Georgia, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 2, 2001, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 24, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .238 | ||
| Home runs | 39 | ||
| Runs batted in | 212 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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William Charles Harris, known as Willie Harris, was born on June 22, 1978. He is an American baseball coach and a former professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder and second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Willie Harris played for several teams from 2001 to 2012. These teams included the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and Cincinnati Reds. A major highlight of his playing career was winning the 2005 World Series with the Chicago White Sox. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. After his playing days, he became a coach. He recently served as the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs.
Willie Harris: A Versatile Player
Willie Harris was known for being a very flexible player. He could play all three outfield positions. He also played second base, shortstop, and even third base. This ability to play many positions made him a valuable player for any team.
His best season as a player was in 2004. That year, he had his highest batting average of .262. He also scored 68 runs and had 107 hits. He was also very fast, stealing 19 bases in 2004. In 2005, he stole 10 bases in 56 games.
Winning the World Series in 2005
In the 2005 playoffs, Willie Harris played a key role. He had a successful pinch-hit single in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series. This hit helped him score a run, which was the only run in that game. This single run helped the Chicago White Sox win the World Series against the Houston Astros.
Playing for the Boston Red Sox in 2006
In 2006, the Boston Red Sox signed Willie Harris. He joined their spring training camp. On April 20, he officially joined the Red Sox team. However, he was later sent to their Triple-A team, the Pawtucket Red Sox, on July 21.
Time with the Atlanta Braves in 2007
Willie Harris joined the Atlanta Braves in 2007. He had a great year, especially in May, when his batting average was close to .400. He led the team with 17 stolen bases. On June 30, he stole 3 bases in one game, which was a personal best for him.
On July 21, 2007, Harris had an amazing game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He got 6 hits in 6 tries, including four singles and two triples. He also had six RBIs, scored four runs, and stole a base. He was only the second player in Atlanta Braves history to get six hits in a single game.
A memorable moment happened on August 9, 2007. The Braves were playing the New York Mets. In the 9th inning, a Mets player hit a ball that looked like a home run. But Willie Harris, playing in left field, jumped and caught the ball just before it went over the wall. This amazing catch saved the game for the Braves.
Playing for the Washington Nationals (2008–2010)
Willie Harris signed with the Washington Nationals on December 13, 2007. He continued to be a very useful player, playing many different positions. He was known for his excellent defense and made many impressive catches in the outfield.
On August 22, 2008, Harris hit two home runs. One of them was his first career grand slam, which gave the Nationals a 6–4 lead. He also had 6 RBIs in that game. He finished the 2008 season with 13 home runs, which was more than he had hit in his previous seven years combined.
In 2009, Harris signed a two-year contract with the Nationals. On September 24, 2010, he hit the first inside-the-park home run in Nationals history against the Atlanta Braves.
Time with the New York Mets in 2011
On January 14, 2011, Willie Harris signed a contract with the New York Mets. He played in 126 games for the Mets. He played all three outfield positions, as well as second and third base.
Final Season with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012
Willie Harris signed with the Cincinnati Reds on January 23, 2012. He played in 44 games before being sent to their Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats, on June 26. This was his last season as a professional player.
Willie Harris: Coaching Career
After his playing career, Willie Harris became a baseball coach.
Early Coaching Roles
In 2016, he started his coaching career as the hitting coach for the Great Falls Voyagers. This team was a rookie-level affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. In 2018, Harris became the manager for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a team in the San Francisco Giants organization. In 2019, he worked for the Cincinnati Reds as their baserunning and outfield coordinator.
Coaching for the Chicago Cubs
On December 8, 2020, Willie Harris was hired by the Chicago Cubs as their third base coach. He served in this role until October 11, 2024, when he and the Cubs decided to part ways.
New Role with the Cincinnati Reds
On January 28, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds hired Willie Harris again. He is now the manager for their Single-A team, the Daytona Tortugas.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders
