Larry Yount
Encyclopedia
Lawrence King "Larry" Yount (born February 15, 1950 in Houston, Texas
) is a former major league baseball player. Yount (whose younger brother is Hall of Famer
Robin Yount
) is the only player in MLB history to be credited with pitching a game without actually facing a batter.
. He impressed in the Carolina League
in both and (he had a 2.25 ERA in 1969), and was invited to spring training at the major league camp in and 1971. After a strong stint with the Astros' AAA affiliate in Oklahoma City, Yount was called up on September 2, 1971. Before he could join the big-league club, however, he had to serve a week-long stint in the military, which he later claimed tightened up his elbow.
4-1 in the Astrodome on September 15, 1971, Yount was summoned to pitch the ninth inning. While warming up, however, Yount's elbow began to stiffen. "I went to the mound and took a couple of tosses," he later said, "but (the elbow) continued to hurt, so I came out." (MLB rules state that any pitcher announced as being in the game must face at least one batter, except in case of injury.) Since he was announced, he was credited for having played that one game, even though he did not actually face a batter. Yount went back to the bench, then back to the minors. In spring training in , he was one of the last players cut.
Yount continued to play in the Astros organization until the end of the season. At the end of spring training
, , he was traded along with another minor leaguer to the Milwaukee Brewers
for outfielder Wilbur Howard
. He was briefly in camp with his younger brother Robin, who was trying to make the squad as a rookie, but was quickly sent back to the minors.
The elder Yount retired after eight minor league seasons in 1976, later becoming a successful real estate developer in Arizona
.
in 2008. He had a solid year with the rookie-league Ogden Raptors
that year, batting .301.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
) is a former major league baseball player. Yount (whose younger brother is Hall of Famer
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Robin Yount
Robin Yount
Robin R. Yount is an American former Major League Baseball shortstop and center fielder. He spent his entire 20-year baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers . In 1999, Yount was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.-Early years:Yount was born in Danville, Illinois...
) is the only player in MLB history to be credited with pitching a game without actually facing a batter.
Early career
Yount went to Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California, and was a fifth round draft pick in the 1968 Major League Baseball Draft1968 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1968 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Los Angeles Dodgers laid the groundwork for their championship clubs of the 1970s with an outstanding draft...
. He impressed in the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
in both and (he had a 2.25 ERA in 1969), and was invited to spring training at the major league camp in and 1971. After a strong stint with the Astros' AAA affiliate in Oklahoma City, Yount was called up on September 2, 1971. Before he could join the big-league club, however, he had to serve a week-long stint in the military, which he later claimed tightened up his elbow.
Houston and beyond
With the Astros trailing the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
4-1 in the Astrodome on September 15, 1971, Yount was summoned to pitch the ninth inning. While warming up, however, Yount's elbow began to stiffen. "I went to the mound and took a couple of tosses," he later said, "but (the elbow) continued to hurt, so I came out." (MLB rules state that any pitcher announced as being in the game must face at least one batter, except in case of injury.) Since he was announced, he was credited for having played that one game, even though he did not actually face a batter. Yount went back to the bench, then back to the minors. In spring training in , he was one of the last players cut.
Yount continued to play in the Astros organization until the end of the season. At the end of spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, , he was traded along with another minor leaguer to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for outfielder Wilbur Howard
Wilbur Howard
Wilbur Leon Howard is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. During a 6-year baseball career, he played for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros ....
. He was briefly in camp with his younger brother Robin, who was trying to make the squad as a rookie, but was quickly sent back to the minors.
The elder Yount retired after eight minor league seasons in 1976, later becoming a successful real estate developer in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Austin Yount
Larry's son Austin Yount was drafted in the 12th round by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 2008. He had a solid year with the rookie-league Ogden Raptors
Ogden Raptors
The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
that year, batting .301.