to a contender, Harper hit .319 in August and September for the A's and became their starting 1st baseman, also seeing spot duty in the outfield and at third base. Harper was also a perfect 7 of 7 in stolen base attempts. Harper was a key in Oakland's AL West championship drive not only because of his help with the bat, but also because his versatile fielding allowed the As to use the aging Billy Williams at DH where his still powerful bat was useful and where his play in the field was not a liability. Harper finally saw his first playoff action at age 34 after 14 major league seasons but would be limited to one plate appearance, a walk, as the A's were swept by his old team, the Red Sox. Harper was released by the A's after the season. Baltimore Orioles Harper signed with the Orioles shortly before 1976 spring training. He played sparingly at DH, but his trademark blend of power and speed were gone, rendering him mostly a light-hitting pinch hitter. He was released by the Orioles following the season. Career statistics In 1810 games over 15 seasons, Harper compiled a .257 batting average (1609-for-6269) with 972 runs, 256 doubles, 36 triples, 146 home runs, 567 RBI, 408 stolen bases, 753 base on balls, 1080 strikeouts, .338 on-base percentage and .379 slugging percentage. Defensively, he recorded a .973 fielding percentage. He played first base, second base, third base and all three outfield positions in his major league career. Coaching career Harper served as a coach for the Red Sox (1980–84; 2000–02) and the Montreal Expos (1990–99). As of the start of the season, he remained with Boston as a player development consultant. Harper had returned to the Red Sox in 2000, 15 years after he was compelled to sue the club for allegedly illegally firing him as a coach in retaliation for speaking out in 1985 about the club welcoming the local segregated Elks Club into its spring training stadium Chain of Lakes Park, to invite only the team's white personnel to its establishment. On July 1, 1986, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission vindicated Harper and cited the Red Sox for illegal actions. Harper was elected to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2010. Highlights 24-consecutive-game hitting streak (July 17 – August 8, 1966) 16 games with four hits Four stolen bases vs.