Harl Maggert (1910s outfielder)
Encyclopedia
Harl Vestin Maggert was a Major League Baseball
outfielder
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
and Philadelphia Athletics
. He was also a star in the Pacific Coast League
before being suspended in 1920 for fixing games
.
, Maggert began his professional baseball career in 1906. He was drafted by the Pirates after the season and played in three games for them. He went back down to the minor leagues in 1908. In 1911, he hit .314 in the Pacific Coast League and made the Athletics roster in 1912. He hit decently but left the A's after just one season.
From 1913-1917, Maggert was the leadoff hitter
for the PCL's Los Angeles Angels
. He led the league in runs scored
in 1913, 1914, and 1915, with over 125 all three times. He also paced the circuit in triples
twice.
Maggert played for the San Francisco Seals in 1918 and the Salt Lake City Bees
in 1919 and 1920. In 1919, he led the league in runs scored for the fourth time. In 1920, Maggert had the best season of his entire career. He was hitting .370 and on his way to the batting title – until he was suspended in midseason.
first baseman Babe Borton
handed Maggert $300, which aroused suspicion. Borton had previously offered the money to one of Maggert's teammates. In the ensuing investigation, it was discovered that Maggert and other Salt Lake City players had thrown games during the previous season so that Borton's Tigers could win the pennant.
Maggert was soon released by the Bees. In December, he and Borton were both cleared of all criminal charges in court; however, they were also expelled from the Pacific Coast League. Maggert never played in organized baseball again.
.
Maggert died in 1963 in Fresno, California
. His son
was also a major league outfielder.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. He was also a star in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
before being suspended in 1920 for fixing games
Match fixing
In organised sports, match fixing, game fixing, race fixing, or sports fixing occurs as a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. Where the sporting competition in question is a race then the incident is referred to as...
.
Career
Born in Cromwell, IndianaCromwell, Indiana
Cromwell is a town in Sparta Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 512 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Cromwell is located at ....
, Maggert began his professional baseball career in 1906. He was drafted by the Pirates after the season and played in three games for them. He went back down to the minor leagues in 1908. In 1911, he hit .314 in the Pacific Coast League and made the Athletics roster in 1912. He hit decently but left the A's after just one season.
From 1913-1917, Maggert was the leadoff hitter
Leadoff hitter
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in an inning.- Strategy :...
for the PCL's Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
. He led the league in runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in 1913, 1914, and 1915, with over 125 all three times. He also paced the circuit in triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
twice.
Maggert played for the San Francisco Seals in 1918 and the Salt Lake City Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
in 1919 and 1920. In 1919, he led the league in runs scored for the fourth time. In 1920, Maggert had the best season of his entire career. He was hitting .370 and on his way to the batting title – until he was suspended in midseason.
Pacific Coast League scandal
In late July 1920, Vernon TigersVernon Tigers
The Vernon Tigers were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1909 through 1925. Vernon, California, was and is a small town in Los Angeles County. The Tigers, together with the Sacramento Solons, joined the PCL as new teams in 1909 as the league expanded from...
first baseman Babe Borton
Babe Borton
William Baker "Babe" Borton was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Borton played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Terriers, and St. Louis Browns from 1912-1916. He stood at 6' 0".-Biography:...
handed Maggert $300, which aroused suspicion. Borton had previously offered the money to one of Maggert's teammates. In the ensuing investigation, it was discovered that Maggert and other Salt Lake City players had thrown games during the previous season so that Borton's Tigers could win the pennant.
Maggert was soon released by the Bees. In December, he and Borton were both cleared of all criminal charges in court; however, they were also expelled from the Pacific Coast League. Maggert never played in organized baseball again.
Later life
Over the next few years, Maggert played in "outlaw" baseball leagues along with other suspended players, such as the Black SoxBlack Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal took place around and during the play of the American baseball 1919 World Series. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life from baseball for intentionally losing games, which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series...
.
Maggert died in 1963 in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
. His son
Harl Maggert (1930s outfielder)
Harl Warren Maggert was a professional baseball outfielder. He played one season in Major League Baseball for the Boston Bees in 1938....
was also a major league outfielder.