Mel Harder

Melvin Leroy Harder, nicknamed "Chief," was a right-handed starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians from 1928 to 1947. Born in Beemer, Nebraska, he built his approach around a sharp curveball, a hard fastball, and precise control. He joined the Indians' starting rotation in 1930 and spent 20 seasons in Cleveland, setting franchise records for wins (223), games started (433), and innings pitched (3,426⅓) — marks later surpassed by Bob Feller — while still holding the club record of 582 career games. He ranked among the American League's all-time leaders in wins, games, and starts at retirement, and led AL pitchers in putouts four times.