Harry Agganis

Harry Agganis
Born	(1929-04-20)April 20, 1929 Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	June 27, 1955(1955-06-27) (aged 26) Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Baseball player Baseball career
First baseman
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 13, 1954, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
June 2, 1955, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average	.261
Hits	135
Home Runs	11
Runs batted in	67
Teams
Boston Red Sox (1954–1955)
Football career
Career information
Position(s)	Quarterback
US college	Boston University
NFL draft	1952 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12
Drafted by	Cleveland Browns
Career history
As player
1949, 1951–1952	Boston University
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-American (1951) 2× First-team All-Eastern (1951, 1952)
Retired #s	Boston University #33
College Football Hall of Fame, 1974

Aristotle George "Harry" Agganis (April 20, 1929 – June 27, 1955), nicknamed "The Golden Greek",^[1] was an American college football player and professional baseball player. After passing up a potential professional football career, he played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1954 to 1955 for the Boston Red Sox.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Greek immigrants Georgios Agganis and Georgia Papalimperis, Agganis first gained notice as a college football player at Boston University, becoming its first student named All-American. He passed up a professional career with the Cleveland Browns in order to play his favorite sport, baseball, close to his hometown. He signed a bonus baby contract, and after one season playing minor league baseball, he started at first base for the Red Sox.

In 1955, Agganis became gravely ill early in the season and was hospitalized for two weeks for pneumonia. He rejoined the Red Sox for a single week before being rehospitalized with a viral infection. After showing some signs of recovery, he died of a pulmonary embolism on June 27.