Harry Hooper

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hooper was born in Bell Station, California, and graduated from Saint Mary's College of California. He was often known for his defensive skills, ranking among the league leaders in defensive categories such as putouts and assists by a right fielder. He is the all-time career leader in assists and double plays by a right fielder. During several seasons with Boston, he teamed up with Duffy Lewis and Tris Speaker to form the Golden Outfield. Hooper is one of only two members of four separate Red Sox World Series championship teams (1912, 1915, 1916, 1918).

In Their Own Story

On October 13, 1915, Game 5 of the World Series against Philadelphia presented a defining moment for Hooper. In front of a roaring crowd, he became only the second player in history to hit two home runs in a single World Series game. His teammate Duffy Lewis added a third, propelling Boston to a four-game sweep and another championship. Later that decade, as Red Sox owner Harry Frazee began his infamous "fire-sale" of veterans starting in 1919, the media questioned if Hooper would stay. In March 1921, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Shano Collins and Nemo Leibold without prior warning. Despite the shock, Hooper thrived with Chicago, hitting over .300 three times and setting career highs of 11 home runs and 80 RBIs in 1922. He led the league in double plays by an outfielder in both 1922 and 1924 before asking for his release in 1925 to pursue a managerial role.

Reader's Guide

Hooper was a career .281 hitter with 75 home runs, 817 RBI, 1429 runs, 2466 hits, 389 doubles, 160 triples, 375 stolen bases and 1136 bases on balls in 2309 games. Defensively, he finished with a .966 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions. He holds Red Sox franchise records for most triples (130) and stolen bases (300), as well as Fenway Park records for triples (63) and stolen bases (107). He hit better than .300 five times in his career and compiled a .293 batting average (27-for-92) in four World Series appearances.

Did You Know?

• Hooper invented a maneuver known as the 'rump-slide' for catching shallow fly balls.
• On May 30, 1913, Hooper became the first player to hit a home run to lead off both games of a doubleheader.
• In Game 5 of the 1915 World Series, Hooper became the second player to hit two home runs in a single World Series game.
• Hooper was the captain of the Red Sox in 1919.