TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/21/2022 | Received: 7/5/2022 | 14 Days
- ’77 Topps, ’82 Fleer, ’83 Fleer, ’87 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 12/19/2022 | Received: 1/3/2023 | 14 Days
- ’75 Topps Mini, ’77 Topps, ’82 Donruss, ’82 Fleer, ’87 Donruss, ’87 Topps (2)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 12/11/2023 | Received: 12/23/2023 | 12 Days
- ’73 O-Pee-Chee, ’74 Topps, ’76 Topps, ’80 Topps, ’82 Donruss
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 7/2/2024 | Received: 7/17/2024 | 15 Days
- ’72 Topps, ’79 Topps, ’83 Topps (2), ’87 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Colbert Dale “Toby” Harrah, born on October 26, 1948, in Sissonville, West Virginia, is a former professional baseball infielder whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 17 seasons from 1969 to 1986. Known for his versatility and offensive prowess, Harrah played primarily as a shortstop and third baseman, leaving a significant mark on the teams he played for and the league as a whole.
Harrah’s journey to the major leagues began in Marion, Ohio, where he attended Elgin High School. After graduation, he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1966. However, his tenure with the Phillies was short-lived, as he was selected by the Washington Senators in the minor league draft later that year.
Harrah made his MLB debut with the Washington Senators on September 5, 1969. Following the team’s relocation and rebranding as the Texas Rangers in 1972, he became a cornerstone of the franchise. During his time with the Rangers, Harrah was recognized for his offensive capabilities, a rarity among shortstops of that era. He earned three All-Star selections (1972, 1975, 1976) while with Texas, showcasing his consistent performance.
In 1976, Harrah achieved a unique feat by playing an entire doubleheader without recording a single defensive chance, highlighting an unusual occurrence in baseball. The following year, he and teammate Bump Wills hit back-to-back inside-the-park home runs, a testament to their speed and agility on the field.
After the 1978 season, Harrah was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Buddy Bell. With the Indians, he continued to excel, earning another All-Star selection in 1982 and achieving a career-high .304 batting average that season. In 1984, Harrah was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played a limited role before returning to the Rangers for the final two seasons of his playing career.
Over his 17-year MLB career, Harrah compiled a .264 batting average, hit 195 home runs, and recorded 918 runs batted in (RBI). His keen eye at the plate resulted in 1,153 walks, surpassing his 868 strikeouts, underscoring his disciplined approach as a hitter. Notably, Harrah was among the few infielders of his time to combine power with speed, achieving multiple seasons with over 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.
Following his retirement as a player, Harrah transitioned into coaching and managerial roles. In 1987, he managed the Oklahoma City 89ers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rangers. He later served as the Rangers’ first-base coach and, in 1992, took on the role of interim manager for the team. Harrah’s coaching career extended to positions with the New York Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, and coaching roles with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Colorado Rockies.
In recognition of his contributions to the franchise, Harrah was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2009, cementing his legacy as one of the team’s all-time greats.
Toby Harrah’s career is a testament to his adaptability, skill, and dedication to the game of baseball. From his early days in West Virginia to his impactful presence in MLB as both a player and coach, Harrah’s journey reflects a profound commitment to excellence and a lasting influence on the sport.
The Score on Toby Harrah – 6.5
Toby has to be one of my favorite signers over the years. You can see how quickly he normally returns things to you with the data at the top of this post. And he always does a pretty great job on your cards. Maybe once or twice over the years I’ve seen him sign in ball point pen, but most times its marker. These are just more examples of great returns from him.
Thanks Mr. Harrah! I’m giving this a 6.5 overall.
These aren’t the first returns I’ve received from him. To see the others check out these posts:
>>> READ MORE ABOUT MY AUTOGRAPH SCORING SYSTEM <<<
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.