Roric Harrison


Roric Edward Harrison is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last American League pitcher to hit a home run in an American League game before the introduction of the designated hitter.

Early years

Harrison signed with the Houston Astros out of Westchester High School in Westchester, California in. Harrison amassed a 13–28 record in Houston's farm system and pitched just two innings for the Oklahoma City 89ers in when he was dealt to the Seattle Pilots with Dooley Womack for Jim Bouton.
He pitched for the franchise's triple A affiliate, the Portland Beavers in, 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, 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 traded along with Davey Johnson, Pat Dobson and Johnny Oates to the Atlanta Braves for Earl Williams and Taylor Duncan on the last day of the Winter Meetings on December 1, 1972. 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.
Harrison was 20–23 with a 4.45 ERA in his career for Atlanta when he was dealt to the Cleveland Indians during the season for pitcher Blue Moon Odom.

Journeyman

Harrison went 7–7 with a 4.79 ERA in nineteen starts for the Indians in 1975. During Spring training, 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. In nine games, he was 0–1 with a 7.50 ERA.