2021 Gold Glove Winner Harrison Bader '12 Returns to His Alma Mater
Hometown hero Harrison Bader ‘12 autographed all sorts of objects – from notebooks to hats to the sole of a student’s suede boot! – during a visit to the Lower Division.
Harrison Bader ’12 – a 2021 Gold Glove Award winner who plays centerfield for the St. Louis Cardinals – paid a surprise visit to campus in January to meet with students and reconnect with former teachers. Lower Division students were treated to a question-and-answer session, during which Bader responded to a plethora of thoughtful questions about his years as a student at HM, his rise through the minor leagues, and his life as a professional athlete. Bader generously inked his signature onto dozens of HM hats and enthusiastically autographed notebooks, Post-it Notes ®, and even the sole of a student’s suede boot at her insistence! Middle and Upper Division students who were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the major-leaguer reconnecting with his former coaches in the Richard A. Friedman ’75 Gymnasium found him warmly approachable and more than happy to pose for selfies.
While at Horace Mann, Harrison Bader ‘12 and his mother stopped by the Athletics Office to reminisce with former coaches and PE teachers.
Bader was awarded his first career Gold Glove Award in 2021. He led National League centerfielders in outs above average with 14 and defensive runs saved with 15. He earned a .990 fielding clip across almost 900 innings. In 296 defensive opportunities, Bader made only three errors and racked up four assists. Five out of the nine Gold Gloves that were awarded to National League players for the 2021 season went to St. Louis Cardinals players – the most winners from a single team in any given year. In addition to Bader, Cardinals who earned a Gold Glove were Nolan Arenado, Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt, and Tyler O'Neill.
Harrison Bader ’12 was with his family -- mom Janice, sister Sasha ‘17, and father Louis – when the winners of the 2021 Gold Glove Awards were announced on November 7th.