Harlond Clift
Born: 8/12/1912 in El Reno, OK, USA
Died: 4/27/1992 in Yakima, WA, USA
MLB Debut: 1934-04-17 | Final Game: 1945-09-20
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Harlond Benton Clift
Biography
Harlond Clift was a notable American baseball player, born in 1912, who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1934 until 1945. Clift played primarily as a position player, showcasing his skills over the course of 1,582 games. He amassed 1,558 hits, which included 178 home runs, and drove in 829 runs throughout his career. His offensive contributions were complemented by a .272 batting average and 69 stolen bases, reflecting his ability to not only hit for power but also to be a dynamic presence on the basepaths.
Clift's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, bridging the gap between the Great Depression and World War II. He earned one All-Star selection, highlighting his recognition among contemporaries during a time when the league was filled with talent, including legends like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Known for his versatility and strong hitting, Clift's legacy in the game remains significant, as he exemplified the spirit of resilience and competition characteristic of his era. His contributions to the teams he played for, particularly the St. Louis Browns and the New York Yankees, solidified his place in baseball history.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.0 | 15.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.067 | 0.125 | 0.067 | 0.192 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 16.0 | 15.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.067 | 0.125 | 0.067 | 0.192 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1582 | 5730 | 1070 | 1558 | 309 | 62 | 178 | 829 | 69 | 1070 | 713 | 0.272 | 0.390 | 0.441 | 0.831 | 21570.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | SLA | AL | 147 | 572 | 104 | 149 | 30 | 10 | 14 | 56 | 7 | 84 | 100 | 0.260 | 742.0 |
| 1935 | SLA | AL | 137 | 475 | 101 | 140 | 26 | 4 | 11 | 69 | 0 | 83 | 39 | 0.295 | 1733.5 |
| 1936 | SLA | AL | 152 | 576 | 145 | 174 | 40 | 11 | 20 | 73 | 12 | 115 | 68 | 0.302 | 3408.6 |
| 1937 | SLA | AL | 155 | 571 | 103 | 175 | 36 | 7 | 29 | 118 | 8 | 98 | 80 | 0.306 | 3794.5 |
| 1938 | SLA | AL | 149 | 534 | 119 | 155 | 25 | 7 | 34 | 118 | 10 | 118 | 67 | 0.290 | 4020.5 |
| 1939 | SLA | AL | 151 | 526 | 90 | 142 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 84 | 4 | 111 | 55 | 0.270 | 1581.3 |
| 1940 | SLA | AL | 150 | 523 | 92 | 143 | 29 | 5 | 20 | 87 | 9 | 104 | 62 | 0.273 | 2335.2 |
| 1941 | SLA | AL | 154 | 584 | 108 | 149 | 33 | 9 | 17 | 84 | 6 | 113 | 93 | 0.255 | 1885.6 |
| 1942 | SLA | AL | 143 | 541 | 108 | 148 | 39 | 4 | 7 | 55 | 6 | 106 | 48 | 0.274 | 2273.4 |
| 1943 | SLA | AL | 105 | 379 | 43 | 88 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 5 | 54 | 37 | 0.232 | -235.8 |
| 1943 | WSN | AL | 8 | 30 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0.300 | -235.8 |
| 1944 | WSN | AL | 12 | 44 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.159 | 0.0 |
| 1945 | WSN | AL | 119 | 375 | 49 | 79 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 53 | 2 | 76 | 58 | 0.211 | 32.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 6 | 0 | 14 | 19 | 1 | 2 |
| 3B | 1550 | 0 | 1777 | 3262 | 279 | 309 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | SLA | 3B | 141 | 0 | 150 | 245 | 30 | 28 |
| 1935 | SLA | 2B | 6 | 0 | 14 | 19 | 1 | 2 |
| 1935 | SLA | 3B | 127 | 0 | 130 | 240 | 26 | 12 |
| 1936 | SLA | 3B | 152 | 0 | 158 | 310 | 24 | 27 |
| 1937 | SLA | 3B | 155 | 0 | 198 | 405 | 34 | 50 |
| 1938 | SLA | 3B | 149 | 0 | 176 | 306 | 19 | 31 |
| 1939 | SLA | 3B | 149 | 0 | 184 | 324 | 25 | 34 |
| 1940 | SLA | 3B | 147 | 0 | 161 | 329 | 21 | 32 |
| 1941 | SLA | 3B | 154 | 0 | 195 | 316 | 22 | 27 |
| 1942 | SLA | 3B | 141 | 0 | 160 | 287 | 28 | 28 |
| 1942 | SLA | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1943 | SLA | 3B | 104 | 0 | 126 | 252 | 20 | 20 |
| 1943 | WS1 | 3B | 8 | 0 | 18 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 1944 | WS1 | 3B | 12 | 0 | 10 | 22 | 6 | 2 |
| 1945 | WS1 | 3B | 111 | 0 | 111 | 214 | 23 | 18 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 6 |
| Third Base | 1548 |
| Shortstop | 1 |
| Left Field | 1 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | 3B |
| 1940 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | 3B |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 18th | 11.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1937 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 13th | 11.0 | 80 | 0 |