Dec. 14, 1963 - Harvey Haddix, the Pittsburgh left-hander who pitched an unparalleled 12 perfect innings on May 26, 1959 only to lose the historic game to Milwaukee on an error in the 13th frame, today was sold by the Pirates to the Baltimore Orioles on a conditional basis. The Pirates received an undisclosed sum of cash plus Dick Yencha, a minor league shortstop, for the 38-year-old Haddix, who has been in the majors 12 years. The conditional part of the exchange was that Baltimore would have the first 30 days of the 1964 season to decide if it wanted to retain Haddix. Baltimore general manager Lee MacPhail and manager Hank Bauer are hopeful that Haddix, owner of a lifetime record of 128-106 during seasons with the Pirates, Phillies, Reds, and Cardinals, will fill the Orioles’ need for an experienced southpaw reliever. “Haddix has a little age on him though, and we will have to see what develops during spring training and the first month of the season,” MacPhail said. “While he is no longer quite the pitcher he used to be, Haddix’s arm is sound, and there is the chance that, being new to American League hitters, he can be effective for us.” Haddix, who accounted for two of Pittsburgh’s four decision over the Yankees in the 1960 World Series — one in relief and the other as a starter — last season posted a 3-4 mark for the eighth-place Pirates. All but one of his 49 appearances were in relief. Nicknamed “The Kitten” because of a marked physical resemblance to the Orioles’ pitching coach, Harry “The Cat” Brecheen, the newest Oriole is a better-than average hitting pitcher. In addition, three times he received the National League Gold Glove award as the circuit’s most accomplished fielder at his position.
