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Charles Byron Harmon
Cincinnati Redlegs
Outfield
Born: April 23, 1924, Washington, IN
Signed: Signed by the St. Louis Browns as an amateur free agent before 1947 season
Major League Teams: Cincinnati Redlegs 1954-56; St. Louis Cardinals 1956-57; Philadelphia Phillies 1957
Died: March 19, 2019, Golf Manor, OH (age 94)
Chuck Harmon was a high school and college baseball star, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, briefly played professional basketball as a player-coach in the American Basketball League and was the first African American to play for the Reds' franchise in 1954. A 30-year-old rookie in 1954, Harmon served as the back-up third baseman to regular Bobby Adams (#287), batting .238 in a career-high 286 at-bats. He played in 96 games in 1955, batting .253 with five home runs and 28 RBIs for the Redlegs. He switched teams twice in 1956 and 1957, finishing up his major league career as a bat off the bench for the Cardinals and Phillies. Harmon played 289 games overall, batting .238 with 25 stolen bases, 15 doubles, seven home runs and 59 RBIs.
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| May 15, 2010 - Harmon waves to the crowd before the Civil Rights Game in Cincinnati |
December 28, 2007 from Dad's eBay purchase - Card #337
I last shared this full story with the Foster Castleman (#271) post in late December, but I'll repeat myself, in an edited version, here. The way my Dad and I finished the 1956 Topps set was somewhat anti-climatic but nevertheless a joyful memory. Leading up to the Christmas of 2007, my Dad (with the help of my Mom) scoured eBay and other online baseball card stores for the remaining 29 cards we needed to complete the set. Throughout the weeks and months leading up to the holidays, he knew we had completed the set but he kept it quiet, wanting to surprise me on Christmas morning. I have no idea, and I'll never know, what the true last card was that he acquired to finish off the set. And I have no record, nor was he able to tell me, how much they had paid for any of these final 29 cards.
This Harmon card was one of the final 29. It was one of the commons included in a memorable haul that included the cards of Pee Wee Reese (#260), Roberto Clemente (#33), Whitey Ford (#240) and a spotless checklist card for the 1st and 3rd Series.
The Card / Redlegs Team Set
We're getting pretty close to the end of the set, and I found it interesting that Harmon is only the third player featured, so far, to appear in the 1954, 1955 and 1956 Topps sets, with his 1956 Topps card using a different photo than his previous Topps cards. The other two are Sherm Lollar (#243) and Johnny Schmitz (#298). For comparison, and again this number isn't final, there are 46 players in the set with identical photos used for their 1954, 1955 and 1956 Topps cards.
That's likely Harmon sliding into second base, given he wore #10 during his Redlegs' tenure. The cartoons on the back of the card highlight his collegiate basketball career, his successful minor league career and his ability to play multiple positions on the field.
1956 Season
Harmon once again made the Redlegs' opening day roster, appearing in 13 games, with eight appearances as a pinch-runner. Used sparingly, and only 0 for 4 at the plate, Harmon was traded to the Cardinals on May 16th for outfielder Joe Frazier (#141) and infielder Alex Grammas (#37). His troubles at the plate continued, and Harmon was 0 for 17 before being demoted to Triple-A in mid-July. Harmon's hitless streak ended while playing for the Omaha Cardinals, and in 58 games he batted .360 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs and 49 RBIs.
Phillies Career
Harmon began the 1958 season back with the Cardinals, and was traded to the Phillies on May 10, 1957 for outfielder Glen Gorbous (#174). He appeared in 57 games overall, batting .256 with a pair of doubles, seven stolen bases and five RBIs. Manager Mayo Smith (#60) gave him 18 starts - 11 in left field, five at third base, and one each at first base and right field. Harmon's final big league action came on September 15, 1957, when he pinch-ran for Willie Jones (#127) and scored a game-tying run in the ninth inning with the Braves' Warren Spahn (#10) on the mound.
1956 Season
Harmon began the 1958 season back with the Cardinals, and was traded to the Phillies on May 10, 1957 for outfielder Glen Gorbous (#174). He appeared in 57 games overall, batting .256 with a pair of doubles, seven stolen bases and five RBIs. Manager Mayo Smith (#60) gave him 18 starts - 11 in left field, five at third base, and one each at first base and right field. Harmon's final big league action came on September 15, 1957, when he pinch-ran for Willie Jones (#127) and scored a game-tying run in the ninth inning with the Braves' Warren Spahn (#10) on the mound.
Harmon spent part of the 1958 season with the Miami Marlins, then the Phillies' top farm team, but never earned another promotion to Philadelphia or the majors. His time with the club is marked by a Phillies card in the 1958 Topps set.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1954 Topps #182
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5): 1954-58
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2007 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs #ROA-CH
10 - Harmon non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 9/14/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
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First Mainstream Card: 1954 Topps #182
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5): 1954-58
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2007 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs #ROA-CH
10 - Harmon non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 9/14/24.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
The Trading Card Database
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Order Collected: #306 Curt Roberts - Pittsburgh Pirates / #311 Hal Naragon - Cleveland Indians
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