In 1927, Harridge became the American League secretary. He then became president of the American League in 1931, held that post until his retirement in 1958, and then was named president emeritus. At that point the league office was moved to
Boston, and Harridge was allowed to keep the Chicago office as well as act as custodian of the American League archive correspondence. Harridge faced some criticism for his involvement in allowing
Arnold Johnson, a business associate of
New York Yankees owners
Dan Topping and
Del Webb, to purchase the
Philadelphia Athletics and move them to
Kansas City rather than allow local owners to purchase the team and keep it in
Philadelphia. He is also criticized by some for his then "non-involvement" in turning a blind eye to the control that the Yankees had over Johnson and the A's. Harridge often cited a 1932 incident as his most difficult decision in baseball. During a July 4 game between the
New York Yankees and
Washington Senators, a collision occurred at home plate involving Senators outfielder
Carl Reynolds and Yankees catcher
Bill Dickey. Dickey dropped the ball, but chased down Reynolds and punched him, resulting in a broken jaw. Though Dickey was a star player with the most powerful franchise in baseball, Harridge issued him a $1,000 fine and a thirty-day suspension. He is more widely known for a ruling that he made in 1951 when dwarf
Eddie Gaedel signed a contract with
Bill Veeck's
St. Louis Browns. Gaedel registered one career plate appearance in August of that year, earning a walk on four straight pitches. Harridge decided that Veeck was making a mockery of baseball and cancelled Gaedel's contract the next day. ==Later life==