"Leather"
(1987-1993)
Inaugural Inductee: June 2000
I think
it's safe to say that were it not for Jim Harvey the Beat may never have been
formed and most certainly would not still be together today. Jim was one of the
three founding members of The BEAT. But unlike myself and O.B., Jim took on the
thankless task of manager and motivator. Oh, he threatened to quit many times
out of frustration, but he stuck with it through those early formative years and
saw the team to its first division championship.
Jim managed the Beat for 12 seasons over the course of 7 years amassing a record
of 56-39-3. That's a .589 winning percentage which is pretty impressive when you
consider that the team didn't win a game in their 1st season and didn't post a
winning record until their 4th. He then lead the team through a streak of 6
consecutive winning seasons culminating in a division championship in the summer
of 1991.
Jim is the stuff that legends are made of. At just a few inches over 5 feet
tall, Jim was the scrappiest player since Ty Cobb. An excellent third baseman
with quick feet and a strong arm, Jim played the field and worked the bench.
When I presented the very first Brass Beat to Jim Harvey in 1988, it wasn't for
his play on the field, it wasn't for his bat, it was for all of the intangibles
that he brought to the team. I felt that something needed to be done to make
note of his devotion to the team and the pride that he gave us all.
There's an old saying that a true Beat veteran bleeds grey. That's Jim all over.
Kevin Austin, July 2004
Career
stats and player cards
