Win–loss record 30–35 Role Baseball player Name Roric Harrison | Strikeouts 319 Earned run average 4.24 | |
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Roric Edward Harrison (born September 20, 1946) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last American League pitcher to hit a home run in an American League game (October 3, 1972) before the introduction of the designated hitter.
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Early years
Harrison signed with the Houston Astros out of Westchester High School in Westchester, California in 1965. Harrison amassed a 13–28 record in Houston's farm system and pitched just two innings for the Oklahoma City 89ers in 1969 when he was dealt to the Seattle Pilots with Dooley Womack for Jim Bouton.
He pitched for the franchise's (now known as the Milwaukee Brewers) triple A affiliate, the Portland Beavers in 1970, and went 6–11 with a 5.57 earned run average. During Spring training the following season, he and Marion Jackson were traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Marcelino López.
Baltimore Orioles
Harrison improved to 15–5 with a 2.81 ERA for the Orioles' triple A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings in 1971, and made the club out of Spring training the following season. Despite having been used mostly as a starter during his minor league career, Harrison was used in relief by manager Earl Weaver. He did, however, make two emergency starts in the second games of doubleheaders, going 1–1 with a 6.75 in his two starts. For the season, he went 3–4 with a 2.30 ERA and four saves.
Atlanta Braves
After just one season in Baltimore, Harrison was part of a blockbuster trade in which he, Pat Dobson, Davey Johnson and Johnny Oates were dealt to the Atlanta Braves for Taylor Duncan and Earl Williams.
Harrison was used as both a starter and reliever in Atlanta, compiling an 11–8 record and 4.16 ERA in both roles. He also added two home runs to his career total despite having only three hits all season (the other was a double).
Harrison was 20–23 with a 4.45 ERA in his career for Atlanta when he was dealt to the Cleveland Indians during the 1975 season for disgruntled pitcher Blue Moon Odom and a player to be named later.
Journeyman
Harrison went 7–7 with a 4.79 ERA in nineteen starts for the Indians in 1975. During Spring training 1976, he was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for Harry Parker. After one season playing triple A ball for the franchise, he was released. He played minor league ball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers before seeing major league experience again with the Minnesota Twins in 1978. In nine games, he was 0–1 with a 7.50 ERA.