Harry Bartholomew Hooper was an American baseball player. He was a right fielder in a Major League Baseball (MLB) in the early 20th century.
Background
Harry Bartholomew Hooper was born on August 24, 1887 in Bell Station, California, United States. He was the son of Joseph Hooper, a farmer, and Kathleen Keller. He was the fourth child of German immigrants who had settled as sharecroppers in the Santa Clara Valley. His family farmed at Garrison Ranch in the San Joaquin Valley from 1889 to 1897, but economic difficulties forced the Hoopers to return to sharecropping in the Santa Clara Valley.
Education
Hooper performed well in several sports at Saint Mary's College in Oakland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1907.
Career
In 1907 Alameda of the "outlaw" California State League (outside baseball's national agreement) signed the outfielder for a few games. In June 1907, Hooper was sold to Sacramento of the California State League. Hooper remained with Sacramento through the 1908 season and also worked as a surveyor for the Western Pacific Railroad. Hooper considered baseball to be a recreational pastime and viewed himself primarily as an engineer.
In August 1908, Sacramento manager Charles Graham persuaded Boston Red Sox owner John I. Taylor to scout Hooper. Hooper quit his surveying job and signed a contract with Boston for 1909. He began the 1909 season as a reserve outfielder with the Red Sox, making two hits in his debut against the Washington Senators in April. A right fielder with Boston from 1909 to 1920, he combined with center fielder Tris Speaker and left fielder "Duffy" Lewis to make up one of baseball's most legendary outfields. No major league outfield performed better defensively, with each player demonstrating unusual speed and powerful throwing arms.
Hooper frequently made spectacular catches after running considerable distances and introduced the "rump slide, " sliding on one hip with feet forward and knees bent to catch or trap fly balls. Runners trying to advance from first base to third on balls hit to right field often were thrown out by Hooper. The Hooper-Speaker-Lewis trio recorded 455 assists with Boston.
At Hooper's suggestion, Boston manager Ed Barrow started employing slugging pitcher Babe Ruth in the outfield. The Boston dynasty collapsed when Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold or traded several players, including Ruth, to the New York Yankees. In 1921 Boston sent Hooper to the Chicago White Sox for two players and cash. The White Sox needed veteran leadership after the 1919 World Series scandal (when they were paid to throw the series). Hooper enjoyed his best hitting seasons between 1921 and 1925 and improved his home run production. His batting averages were . 327 in 1921, . 304 in 1922, and a career-pinnacle . 328 in 1923. The right fielder retired as a major league player in 1926.
After his retirement from baseball, Hooper sold real estate in Santa Cruz, California, managed the San Francisco Missions of the Pacific Coast League in 1927, piloted the Princeton University baseball squad in 1931 and 1932, and served as postmaster of Capitola, California, from 1937 to 1952. Hooper died in Santa Cruz.
Achievements
Connections
Hooper married Esther Henchy on November 26, 1912. They had three children.