HARRY CRAFT, a Throckmorton native, was a centerfielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1937-42 and was on the Reds team that won the World Series in 1940. Craft began his managerial career in the New York Yankees farm system in 1949. That season, he was Mickey Mantle’s first manager in professional baseball in Independence, Kansas. He was also Mantle’s manager in 1950 with the Joplin, Mo., minor league team. In addition, Craft managed Roger Maris with the Kansas City A’s from 1958-59. He was the manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1961 and the Houston Colt 45’s from 1962-64. He is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
