Tales of ‘Lucky Harvey’ recalled

Family, friends, former teammates gathered at Heritage Center to honor Haddix on Saturday.

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 1:09 AM Sunday, May 31, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The phrase “hard luck” naturally fits in front of Clark County native Harvey Haddix’s name. That’s the way it is when you pitch 12 innings of perfect baseball, as he did on May 26, 1959, and lose 1-0 in the 13th.

But to hear his brother Ben Haddix talk on Saturday, May 30, at the Heritage Center, maybe they should have just called him Lucky Harvey — as in lucky to be alive.

About 75 years ago, when Harvey was 8 or 9 years old, Harvey Haddix Sr. finally let his sons go hunting with him. They weren’t out long when Harvey crossed paths with some other hunters.

“Out runs a rabbit,” Ben said. “Harvey was standing probably 150-200 feet ahead of us. This rabbit ran right toward him. When he went by, these (hunters) shot and hit (Harvey). He had a big, heavy hat and coat on. They just peppered his head (with buckshot).”

Harvey survived with the buckshot embedded in his head, and the tale survives, too.

Ben and his brother Fred brought down the house with their stories as Clark County celebrated the 50th anniversary of Haddix’s 12 perfect innings.

The sold-out event featured other interviews with, among others, Haddix’s widow Marcia and their daughters, former Pittsburgh Pirate Bill Virdon and a more recent Springfield pitching product, Rick White.

An emotional White expressed regret that Haddix never got to see him pitch in the big leagues. It was Haddix who first recommended White to Pittsburgh scouts, helping to kick-start a major-league career that spanned 13 seasons.

“Harvey was a little guy. I’m 6-4, 250,” White said. “When I stood next to Harvey, there was a huge difference. I remember him looking me in the face and saying, ‘When you get on the mound and someone comes up to the plate, they’re trying to take money out of our pocket. Don’t let them take money out of your pocket.’ That was something that always stuck with me.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

Harvey Haddix

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