Harvey Freeman

Harvey Bayard Freeman
(Buck)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.
• School Western State Normal School
• Debut July 10, 1921
• Final Game September 28, 1921
• Born December 22, 1897 in Mottville, MI USA
• Died January 10, 1970 in Kalamazoo, MI USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Harvey "Buck" Freeman came straight out of what would later become Western Michigan University, where he had attended starting in 1917, to pitch in the majors beginning in July of 1921 at age 23 with the Philadelphia Athletics. He appeared in 18 games that year (mostly in relief), of which the Athletics lost 17.

Manager Connie Mack had assembled a very young pitching staff that year, with an average age of 24.3. The #1 starter was 23-year-old Eddie Rommel. Harvey's one victory was a complete game hurled against the Cleveland Indians, who featured Tris Speaker. Speaker was unable to get a hit off Freeman that day.

Harvey was probably nicknamed "Buck" after star player Buck Freeman, whose big league career ran from 1891-1907. There was also a second Buck Freeman in the majors the same year as Harvey, with the Chicago Cubs.

Harvey pitched in the minors from 1922 to 1925.

According to his Wikipedia page (12-22-20), he played college baseball and football. After his playing career he was a high school coach for a variety of sports, and his basketball teams won several state championships. He also worked in the lumber business.