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Hal Naragon
Hal Naragon
Hal Naragon
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Harold Richard Naragon (October 1, 1928 – August 31, 2019) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians (1951; 1954–59) and Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (1959–62). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

Key Information

Early life and career

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Naragon was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and graduated from Barberton High School in Ohio.[1] After signing with the Cleveland Indians organization, he began his career in 1947 with the Pittsfield Electrics. He split the 1948 season between the Watertown Athletics and Harrisburg Senators. He spent 1950 with the Oklahoma City Indians, and 1951 with the San Diego Padres.[2]

Professional career

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Naragon was promoted to the Indians late in the 1951 season and played in three games. After the season, he entered the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Quantico during the Korean War. According to his honorable discharge, which lists his main civilian occupation as "Baseball Player," he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, he attained the rank of Sergeant, and he was recommended for reenlistment.[1] He returned to the Indians in 1954, where he remained through the beginning of the 1959 season. His best season with the Indians was 1955, when he played in 57 games and had a .323 batting average.[3][4] He also caught one inning for the Indians in Game 3 of the 1954 World Series against the New York Giants.

On May 25, 1959, Naragon was traded to the Washington Senators with Hal Woodeshick for Ed Fitz Gerald. He spent the remaining four years of his career with the Senators, who became the Twins in 1961.[3] He spent much of his career backing up starting catchers Jim Hegan in Cleveland and Earl Battey in Washington/Minnesota.[4] He was released from the Twins after the 1962 season, ending his playing career.[5] In his 10-season MLB career, Naragon was a .266 hitter, with 262 hits, 27 doubles, 11 triples, six home runs and 87 RBI in 424 games played. He recorded a .991 fielding percentage.[3]

Later life

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Following his playing career, Naragon was the bullpen coach for the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers from 1963 to 1969. He was closely associated with pitching coach Johnny Sain, and was a member of the 1965 American League champion Twins and the 1968 world champion Tigers. After his baseball career ended, he operated a sporting goods store in Barberton, where he lived with his wife and daughter.[1] Naragon died August 31, 2019, at the age of 90. His tombstone bears the eagle-globe-and-anchor insignia of the United States Marine Corps.[6]

References

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Hal Naragon

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Hal Naragon is an American former Major League Baseball catcher known for his role as a reliable backup with the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, and Minnesota Twins from 1951 to 1962, as well as his later tenure as a bullpen coach with the Twins and Detroit Tigers. He was a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower who appeared in 296 games over ten seasons, contributing to the 1954 Cleveland Indians' American League pennant-winning team, where he caught Hall of Famers including Bob Feller, Early Wynn, Hal Newhouser, and Bob Lemon. After his retirement as a player in 1962, Naragon served as bullpen coach for the Minnesota Twins from 1963 to 1967, part of their 1965 pennant-winning squad, before following pitching coach Johnny Sain to the Detroit Tigers from 1968 to 1969, including the Tigers' 1968 World Series championship season. Born on October 1, 1928, in Zanesville, Ohio, Naragon grew up in nearby Barberton, Ohio, where he starred in baseball and basketball at Barberton High School before signing with the Cleveland Indians in 1947. His early career was interrupted by service in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1953. Described as humble, positive, and even-tempered, he maintained lifelong ties to Barberton after leaving baseball, operating a local sporting goods store from 1974 to 1990 and staying involved in community and alumni events until his death on August 31, 2019.

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Harold Richard Naragon was born on October 1, 1928, in Zanesville, Ohio, as the son of Dwight and Dorothy Naragon. He grew up in Barberton, Ohio, where he was one of four children alongside siblings Thomas, Barbara, and Jim. Naragon attended Barberton High School in Barberton, Ohio. His early years were spent in the Barberton area, which remained his lifelong home base.

Introduction to Baseball

Hal Naragon grew up in Barberton, Ohio, after his family relocated there from his birthplace in Zanesville during his childhood, where he attended Barberton High School and developed his skills as a catcher on the school's baseball team. Following his high school graduation, Naragon signed with the Cleveland Indians organization as a free agent in the spring of 1947. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, Naragon stood 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighed 160 pounds (73 kg). He began his professional career later that year, heading to the Pittsfield Electrics of the Canadian-American League in July 1947, where he appeared in 28 games as a catcher. Naragon continued advancing through the Indians' minor league system, splitting the 1948 season between two teams in Class B and Class C leagues and accumulating 95 games of experience that year. He spent the subsequent seasons honing his abilities in the minors, progressing toward the major league level before his debut with Cleveland in 1951.

Major League Playing Career

Cleveland Indians (1951, 1954–1959)

Hal Naragon made his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians on September 23, 1951, appearing in one game as a late-season call-up and going hitless in his lone at-bat. After returning to the minors for further development, he rejoined the Indians in 1954, serving as a backup catcher during their dominant American League pennant-winning season in which the team compiled a franchise-record 111 victories. The Indians advanced to the World Series but were swept four games to zero by the New York Giants, with Naragon not appearing in any postseason contests. From 1954 through 1959, Naragon remained with Cleveland in a reserve role, primarily backing up starting catcher Jim Hegan while seeing limited action each year. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed, focusing on defensive contributions behind the plate rather than consistent offensive output. His tenure included sporadic starts and appearances off the bench, with season game totals ranging from 18 to 57 across those years. In 1955, for example, he played in 57 games with 127 at-bats, recording 41 hits for a .323 batting average that season. Overall, his performance during this period aligned with his career marks as a reliable but light-hitting backup, contributing to Cleveland's competitive teams in the mid-to-late 1950s.

Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (1960–1962)

Hal Naragon joined the Washington Senators following a trade on May 25, 1959, when Cleveland sent him and pitcher Hal Woodeshick to Washington in exchange for catcher Ed Fitz Gerald. Continuing as a backup catcher, he appeared in 33 games during the 1960 season, batting .207 with 19 hits and 5 RBIs in 92 at-bats. After the 1960 campaign, the Washington Senators franchise relocated to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins starting in 1961. Naragon played in 57 games that year, hitting .302 with 42 hits, 2 home runs, and 11 RBIs while serving as a reserve behind starting catcher Earl Battey. A notable moment came on September 21, 1961, when he laid down the final sacrifice bunt ever recorded in Griffith Stadium during a game against the expansion Washington Senators. In 1962, Naragon's role diminished further as he appeared in 24 games, batting .229 with 8 hits and 3 RBIs in 35 at-bats. He played his last major league game on August 5, 1962, before the Minnesota Twins released him on October 19, 1962, ending his playing career.

Career Statistics and Role

Hal Naragon played in 424 games over parts of 10 Major League seasons, primarily serving as a backup catcher and pinch hitter. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, he accumulated 262 hits in 985 at-bats for a career batting average of .266, with 27 doubles, 11 triples, 6 home runs, and 87 RBIs. He scored 83 runs, drew 76 walks, and struck out 62 times, posting an on-base percentage of .321, a slugging percentage of .334, and an OPS of .655. Naragon appeared in 324 games at catcher, where he was regarded as a reliable defender with a strong throwing arm, though he never became a full-time starter during his career. He did not earn All-Star selections or receive major individual awards. His offensive contributions were characterized by consistent contact hitting from the left side, providing value as a reserve player capable of occasional strong performances in limited action.

Post-Playing Career

Coaching with Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers

Following his retirement as a player after the 1962 season, Hal Naragon joined the Minnesota Twins as a bullpen coach in 1963, a role he held through the 1966 season. During the 1965 and 1966 seasons, he was part of the Twins' coaching staff that included pitching coach Johnny Sain. Naragon then moved to the Detroit Tigers, where he served as bullpen coach from 1967 through the 1969 season. In both organizations, his work focused on preparing and supporting relief pitchers in the bullpen.

Media Appearances

1954 World Series Broadcast

Hal Naragon appeared as himself in the television broadcast of the 1954 World Series, where he was credited as "Self - Cleveland Indians Catcher." As a member of the Cleveland Indians, who faced the New York Giants in the series, Naragon's appearance was part of the TV mini-series coverage of the event. He is specifically listed in the cast for one episode, alongside other Indians players featured as themselves during the coverage. This remains Naragon's only documented television credit as himself.

Personal Life and Death

Family and Later Years

Hal Naragon was married to Joanne for 71 years, until his death in 2019. The couple had one daughter, Pamela (Pam), who married Jeff Yeck and resided in Canton, Ohio. Naragon took pride in his family, with his hometown pride influencing his daughter Pam. After concluding his coaching career, Naragon returned to Barberton, Ohio, where he lived with his wife and daughter. He owned and operated the largest sporting goods store in Barberton, marking his primary activity and livelihood in his later years outside of baseball. Naragon remained a resident of Barberton until his passing on August 31, 2019.

Death and Legacy

Hal Naragon died on August 31, 2019, in Barberton, Ohio, at the age of 90. The Cleveland Indians organization expressed deep sadness at his passing, with senior vice president of public affairs Bob DiBiasio stating, “The Indians family is deeply saddened by the passing of Hal Naragon. He will be remembered as a true gentleman, a great teammate and coach. Hal put the 'magic' in Barberton.” Naragon's legacy as a reliable backup catcher and respected coach in Major League Baseball was further honored in his hometown, where Barberton High School's baseball field was named Naragon Field in his honor in April 2006 and the school continues to present the annual Hal Naragon Award to outstanding players. In retirement, he remained engaged with the baseball community through charitable fundraising with major-league alumni associations.
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