Ambidextrous Harris Gives Special Glove To Baseball Hall Of Fame
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - Montreal Expo pitcher Greg A. Harris, who became the first hurler to pitch both right-handed and left-handed in the same game in 107 years, gave the specially-designed six-finger glove that he wore to accomplish the feat to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum last week.
"We're thrilled to have Greg present us with this unique artifact," said Donald C. Marr, Jr., the Hall of Fame's president. "Having his specialty glove in our collection helps us to further our mission."
Harris' feat came in the ninth inning of the Expos' Sept. 28 game with the Cincinnati Reds.
He retired right-hander Reggie Sanders on a ground out to shortstop pitching right-handed, and then switched hands and walked lefty Hal Morris pitching left-handed. He then got Eddie Taubensee to ground out to the catcher while still pitching left-handed, and switched to his right arm to get Brett Boone to bounce back to the mound.
Harris became the first pitcher to throw both righty and lefty in one game since Elton "Ice Box" Chamberlain pitched for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association against the Kansas City Cowboys on May 9, 1888. Chamberlain pitched seven innings right-handed and two innings from the left side.
Larry Corcoran of the 1884 Chicago White Stockings and Tony Mullane of the 1882 Louisville Eclipse have also performed the feat in major-league play. In addition, Cal McLish did it in a 1962 Venezuelan League game and Bert Campaneris accomplished it in a 1962 Florida State League game.
Harris, 39, was the oldest pitcher in the National League this season and went 2-3 with a 2.61 earned-run average in 45 games for Montreal. He has pitched right-handed for the Mets, Reds, Padres, Rangers, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees and Expos during his 14-year career, compiling a 74-90 career record with 54 saves and a 3.69 ERA in 703 games.