Harry Bright - Versatile Journeyman

Versatile Journeyman

During his minor league playing career, Bright was known for his versatility in the field — he played every infield position, caught and played the outfield — his batting ability, and his frequent changes of address: in a 12-year stretch, 1947 through 1958, he played for 14 different minor league teams and at least four different MLB organizations. He led the Class C West Texas-New Mexico League in batting average in 1950 with a .413 mark. Two years later, as the 22-year-old playing manager of the Janesville Cubs of the Class D Wisconsin State League, Bright led the league in runs batted in with 101 — although Janesville finished seventh in the eight-team WSL.

Bright's best minor league season came when he was a 30-year-old veteran playing for the 1960 Salt Lake City Bees in the Pacific Coast League. He slugged 27 home runs, led the PCL with 119 RBI and batted .313. Bright was a fixture in the Pacific Coast League of the 1950s, having played three and a half seasons for the Sacramento Solons (1955–58). He became a resident of Sacramento, and later managed the Solons in 1975.