Zaza Harvey

Zaza Harvey
Harvey with the Sacramento Gilt Edges,
c. 1898–1899
Outfielder / Pitcher
Born: (1879-01-05)January 5, 1879
Saratoga, California, U.S.
Died: June 3, 1954(1954-06-03) (aged 75)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 3, 1900, for the Chicago Orphans
Last MLB appearance
May 4, 1902, for the Cleveland Bronchos
MLB statistics
Batting average.332
Home runs1
Runs batted in32
Win–loss record3–7
Earned run average3.47
Strikeouts27
Teams

Ervin King "Zaza" Harvey (January 5, 1879 – June 3, 1954) was an American professional baseball player. He appeared as an outfielder and pitcher in the major leagues from 1900 to 1902 for the Chicago Orphans, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Blues/Bronchos.[1]

Biography

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Harvey was born in 1879 in Saratoga, California.[2] He made his professional baseball debut in 1897 for the Minneapolis Millers of the Western League.[3] He pitched in five games (three starts) posting an 0–3 win–loss record with a 2.52 earned run average (ERA).[3] As a batter, he went 2-for-9 for a .222 batting average. During that season, he also played briefly in the Western Association for the Peoria Blackbirds, also posting an 0–3 record in five pitching appearances, along with one game played as an outfielder.[3] He hit 3-for-11 (.273) with Peoria.[3] In 1898 and 1899, Harvey played for the Sacramento Gilt Edges,[4] although statistics from those seasons are lacking.[3]

Harvey made his major-league debut with the Chicago Orphans of the National League in 1900, appearing in two games, one as a pitcher.[5] He was hitless in three at bats.[5] After a brief stay in the majors, Harvey returned to the minors with the Minneapolis Millers.[3][4] Harvey returned to the major leagues during the 1901 season, splitting time between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Blues of the American League.[5] That season, he posted an overall .333 batting average (70-for-210) in 62 games, had 16 stolen bases, and as a pitcher made 16 appearances (nine starts) and posted a 3.62 ERA and 3–7 record.[5]

Cleveland liked Harvey's talents enough that they signed him for the 1902 season (the team was known that season as the Cleveland Bronchos), but with one condition: his days on the mound were over and he was going to be strictly an outfielder.[4] On April 25, 1902, Harvey went 6-for-6 at the plate for the Broncos in a game against the St. Louis Browns.[6][7] Through 12 games that season, Harvey was batting .348 (16-for-46) and had one stolen base to his credit.[5] He made what proved to be his final appearance in the majors on May 4, 1902.[2]

Harvey's 1902 season, and baseball career, was cut short because he suffered from stomach issues.[7] In May 1902, after he stopped playing, he visited the hot springs of West Baden Springs, Indiana,[8] a popular destination for those who sought refuge from various ailments. In December 1902, his condition was still not improved,[9] and in the spring of 1903 he took an ocean trip to Panama in hope of it having some benefit.[10] In July 1903, he was reportedly close to returning,[11] but he was unable to play, and in November 1903 he responded to an inquiry from Cleveland manager Bill Armour by stating he "fear[s] that my baseball playing days are over for good."[12]

As of September 1918, Harvey was working as a laborer for the Santa Fe Railroad in the fuel oil department.[13] Harvey died in 1954 in Santa Monica, California.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Van Loon, E.C. (October 19, 1907). "Hawley's Hits" (PDF). Sporting Life. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Zaza Harvey". Retrosheet. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Zaza Harvey Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Hill, David (January 5, 2019). "Cleveland Indians: Remembering Zaza Harvey". Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Zaza Harvey Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Cleveland Broncos 10, St. Louis Browns 0". Retrosheet. April 25, 1902. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Harner, Andrew. "April 25, 1902: Rookie Gene Wright is backed by Zaza Harvey's six hits as Cleveland dominates St. Louis". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  8. ^ "Baseball Notes". The Washington Post. May 30, 1902. p. 9. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Gossip of the Realm of Sport". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. December 21, 1902. p. 3-9. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "(untitled)". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. March 6, 1903. p. 8. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "(untitled)". Los Angeles Express. July 11, 1903. p. 3. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Zaza Harvey Cannot Play". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. November 26, 1903. p. 5. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. September 1918. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via fold3.com.
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