Larry Christenson, the previous Philadelphia Phillies right-hander who helped anchor the franchise’s rise within the late Nineteen Seventies and went 5-1 in 14 begins for the Phillies’ first World Sequence championship membership in 1980, died Friday whereas on a fishing journey in Washington state. He was 72.
The Phillies introduced Christenson’s dying in an announcement on Friday. The membership didn’t specify a medical reason for dying.
“The Phillies are saddened to study of the sudden passing of former pitcher Larry Christenson this morning whereas on a fishing journey with household and buddies in Washington state,” the membership stated within the assertion.
Christenson spent all 11 of his major-league seasons in Philadelphia, from 1973 by 1983. He arrived at 19 and reached the postseason six occasions, together with the 1983 pennant season.
Corridor of Famer Mike Schmidt, a teammate of Christenson’s on the Phillies for all 11 seasons of the pitcher’s profession, additionally issued an announcement.
“It’s with nice disappointment that we simply realized of the passing of Larry Christenson who was a good friend for 50 years,” the Schmidt assertion stated. “Larry was very particular, the man that stored in contact with all of us, he all the time had a smile on his face, he by no means forgot a second he spent with you. His passing will go away a gap in all of our hearts. Might he relaxation in peace.”
From Marysville to Philadelphia
Larry Richard Christenson was born Nov. 10, 1953, in Everett, Washington, and grew up in close by Marysville. At Marysville Excessive Faculty, he was a multi-sport standout who drew scouts along with his pitching, back-to-back no-hitters and lengthy residence runs, a profile in The Herald reported.
Christenson was the Phillies’ first-round draft choose, No. 3 total, in 1972, signing for a $75,000 bonus.
On April 13, 1973, Christenson confronted the Mets at Veterans Stadium and threw an entire sport in a 7-1 victory. He struck out Bud Harrelson, the primary hitter he confronted, and was the youngest participant within the majors that season.
Christenson went 19-6 in 1977, pitching 219 1/3 innings and successful 15 of his last 16 selections. On Sept. 27 at Wrigley Area, he earned the victory and hit a grand slam within the Phillies’ 15-9, division-clinching win over the Cubs.
Within the days when pitchers additionally batted, a minimum of within the Nationwide League, Christenson completed with 11 residence runs, tied with Rick Sensible for probably the most by a Phillies pitcher, and ranks ninth in franchise historical past with 220 begins, as MLB’s official participant report exhibits.
A Champion, and Then a Second Profession
Christenson was a part of three consecutive Nationwide League East champions from 1976 by 1978. In 1978, he went 13-14 with a stable 3.24 ERA throughout 228 innings.
The Phillies received the World Sequence in 1980. Christenson pitched six shutout innings in Sport 3 of the NLCS in opposition to Houston, a 1-0, 10-inning loss. His World Sequence begin in opposition to Kansas Metropolis lasted solely one-third of an inning, nonetheless.
Elbow, shoulder, groin and again issues finally ended Christenson’s profession. He underwent elbow surgical procedure after 9 begins in 1983, and Philadelphia launched him on Nov. 10, his thirtieth birthday. His last line was 83-71, with a 3.79 ERA, 781 strikeouts and 1,402 2/3 innings over 243 video games.
After baseball, Christenson turned president of Christenson Funding Companions and remained concerned with Phillies alumni occasions and Phillies Charities.
“The membership and its followers are perpetually grateful for his contributions and the legacy he leaves behind in Philadelphia,” the Phillies stated.
The assertion supplied condolences to Christenson’s daughters, Claire and Libby, alongside along with his prolonged household, buddies and former teammates.
Larry Bowa, additionally a teammate of Christenson’s from 1973 to 1981, remembered the right-hander as “an amazing teammate, an excellent pitcher and a real good friend.”
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