Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mel Harder

Pitcher

— 1928-1947 —

Mel Harder Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2021

1. Mel Harder Marker

Inscription. Revered legend made mark as pitcher and pitching coach, wearing an Indians uniform for 36 consecutive seasons. His 20 consecutive seasons as Tribe player and 582 games pitched are Club records. Second to Bob Feller in Innings Pitched, Wins (223) and Starts. Allowed no runs in four All-Star Game appearances (1934-’37). Led Indians in Wins five times, Innings Pitched and ERA four times. Tribe pitching coach for 16 seasons (1948-’63). Fourth player to have uniform number retired (#18) by Indians.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 41° 29.825′ N, 81° 41.099′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of East 9th Street and Larry Doby Way, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located at the Cleveland Indians Progressive Field north entrance, in front of Gate C-6. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland OH 44115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Earl Averill (here, next to this marker); Giambi Dramatic Homer (a few steps from this marker); Lou Boudreau (a few steps from this marker); Bob Lemon (a few steps from this marker); Manny Breaks Record (a few steps from this marker);

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The Comeback (a few steps from this marker); Ejections Spark Game Two Win (within shouting distance of this marker); 1920 World Series Champions (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.

Also see . . .
1. Melvin Leroy Harder (Wikipedia). He broke in with the Indians as a relief pitcher in 1928. His pitching style revolved around his fine curveball, a hard fastball and excellent control. He joined the starting rotation in 1930. On July 31, 1932, he pitched the first game ever at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Harder was one of the most successful All-Stars of the 1930s, appearing in all four games from 1934 to 1937, and setting a record with 13 consecutive innings without an earned run. (Submitted on October 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Melvin Leroy "Mel" Harder. Ted Williams called him the toughest pitcher he ever faced, and Harder is the only pitcher ever to strike out Joe Dimaggio three times in one game. Harder retired after the 1947 season with a career record of 223-186. The year after his retirement, Harder became the

Marker detail: Mel Harder image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Mel Harder

Indians’ pitching coach. One of his former pupils, Herb Score, said “If Mel Harder couldn’t teach you a curveball, then no one could.” (Submitted on October 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2021

3. Mel Harder Marker

Progressive Field Gate C-6 in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.