Willie Harris
Willie Harris (born
June 22,
1978 in
Cairo, Georgia, in the
United States) is a
second baseman/
outfielder in
Major League Baseball who currently plays for the
Boston Red Sox organization. Harris was formerly a member of the
Baltimore Orioles (2001) and
Chicago White Sox (2002-05). He bats left handed and throws right handed. He attended
Kennesaw State University.
In a five season-career, Harris is a .242
hitter with five
home runs and 52
RBI in 322
games played.
Versatility and speed are his biggest strengths, as Harris has the ability to play all three outfield positions as well as second base, where he started 28 games in 2005. He also started two games at
shortstop in 2005. His most productive season came in
2004, when he posted career-numbers in
average (.262), RBI (27),
runs (68),
hits (107),
doubles (15) and
at-bats (409). Harris also notched a career high of 19
stolen bases. In 2005, he stole 10 bases in 56 games.
Willie excelled in the 2005 playoffs. He went 2 for 2 in the postseason with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base, and 1 run scored. He did everything manager
Ozzie Guillen asked of him in the playoffs. There isn't a better word to describe Willie than clutch. Willie's phenomenal heart and will gave him the ability to successfully pinch hit for a single in game 4 of the World Series against the
Houston Astros. Willie later scored on a single by
Jermaine Dye later in that inning. The final score of the game was 1-0 and it was all because of Willie scoring the game winning run. Chicago fans won't ever forget his contribution to the White Sox and bringing a world championship back to a city that had been starved of one for so many years.
*The Boston Red Sox have signed Harris to a one-year, split contract. He will go to
spring training camp as a non-roster invitee, but he figures to have a strong chance to make the team.
*On April 20, Harris has his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox and was added to the 40-man roster.
*Harris was
designated for assignment on July 18. Three days later, he cleared waivers and was assigned to the
Pawtucket Red Sox.
*In
Game Four of the
2005 World Series, Harris led off the eighth inning as
pinch hitter for
starter Freddy García. On a 2-2 pitch, Harris hit a
single into left field, advancing to third base during the next two outs. Harris scored the Series-winning run when eventual
World Series MVP Jermaine Dye sent a 1-1 pitch into center field for the Series-winning hit.
Houston was kept scoreless in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings, and Willie's run scored became a part of baseball history.
*Harris is one of three people to be from Cairo, Georgia and play Major League Baseball. The others are
Ernest Riles and
Jackie Robinson.
*He was given the nickname "Peapod" by
Ken (Hawk) Harrelson.
*Willie was the everday starter in 2004 for the Chicago White Sox. The 2004 White Sox also had future second baseman hall of famer Roberto Alomar on the club however manager Ozzie Guillen started Willie more games than Alomar that season.
*Willie's career playoff batting average is 1.000
*Willie's career batting average versus
Roger Clemens is .500
*Willie's career batting average versus
Pedro Martinez is .667
*Willie's career batting average versus
Greg Maddux is .333
*Willie's career batting average versus
Bartolo Colon is .500
*
