Dan Larson
Encyclopedia
Daniel James Larson is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher. Larson pitched in all or part of seven seasons from and .
Larson was drafted in the first round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft
by the St. Louis Cardinals
, but never played in the majors for them. Instead, he was sent to the Houston Astros
as part of a trade that brought pitcher Claude Osteen
to the Cardinals. Larson made his major league debut with the Astros in 1976, and that was probably his best season. He went 5-8 in '76, with a career-best 3.02 ERA.
In , Larson spent most of the season in the majors, but his performance went down significantly, as he won just one game in eight decisions and his ERA nearly doubled to 5.81. Larson spent nearly the entire season back in the minor leagues, and that September he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
for pitcher Dan Warthen
. He made one appearance for the Phillies, pitching one inning.
Larson spent most of the next three seasons in the minor leagues, making brief appearances in the majors in each year. Over those seasons, Larson pitched in a total of 20 games, mostly as a starter. In , Larson had a respectable 3.15 ERA, but gave up a large number of unearned runs
, resulting in a record of 0-5.
Following the season, Larson was traded again, this time to the Chicago Cubs
as part of a trade to bring Mike Krukow
to the Phillies. Larson again went winless in 1982, going 0-4 with a 5.67 ERA, and never appeared in the major leagues again. He continued to play minor league baseball
until before retiring.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher. Larson pitched in all or part of seven seasons from and .
Larson was drafted in the first round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft
1972 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, but never played in the majors for them. Instead, he was sent to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
as part of a trade that brought pitcher Claude Osteen
Claude Osteen
Claude Wilson Osteen , nicknamed "Gomer" because of his resemblance to Gomer Pyle, is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for six different teams: the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Washington Senators , Los Angeles Dodgers , Houston Astros , St...
to the Cardinals. Larson made his major league debut with the Astros in 1976, and that was probably his best season. He went 5-8 in '76, with a career-best 3.02 ERA.
In , Larson spent most of the season in the majors, but his performance went down significantly, as he won just one game in eight decisions and his ERA nearly doubled to 5.81. Larson spent nearly the entire season back in the minor leagues, and that September he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for pitcher Dan Warthen
Dan Warthen
Daniel Dean Warthen is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones Daniel Dean Warthen (born December 1, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current coach for the Brooklyn...
. He made one appearance for the Phillies, pitching one inning.
Larson spent most of the next three seasons in the minor leagues, making brief appearances in the majors in each year. Over those seasons, Larson pitched in a total of 20 games, mostly as a starter. In , Larson had a respectable 3.15 ERA, but gave up a large number of unearned runs
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
, resulting in a record of 0-5.
Following the season, Larson was traded again, this time to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
as part of a trade to bring Mike Krukow
Mike Krukow
Michael Edward "Mike" Krukow is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently a television color commentator for the San Francisco Giants.-Early life:...
to the Phillies. Larson again went winless in 1982, going 0-4 with a 5.67 ERA, and never appeared in the major leagues again. He continued to play minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
until before retiring.