Former Phillies right-hander Larry Christenson passed away unexpectedly on Friday, the team announced. Christenson was 72 years old.
“It is with great sadness that we just learned of the passing of Larry Christenson who was a friend for 50 years,” Hall of Famer and longtime teammate Mike Schmidt said. “Larry was very special, the guy that kept in touch with all of us, he always had a smile on his face, he never forgot a moment he spent with you. His passing will leave a hole in all of our hearts. May he rest in peace.”
Christenson, the third overall pick in the 1972 draft, debuted as a 19-year-old the next season and became the youngest player in the majors. Making the first of 220 starts in the bigs, Christenson fired a complete game and stifled the Mets in a 7-1 victory. It was the beginning of a highly successful career for Christenson, who spent all 11 of his seasons with the Phillies.
Christenson enjoyed his best stretch from 1975-78, a 128-appearance, 122-start run in which he tossed 787 2/3 innings of 3.66 ERA ball and went 56-34. With Steve Carlton, Jim Kaat, Jim Lonborg and Tom Underwood also in their rotation for most of that stretch, the Phillies made the playoffs in three of those four years. Christenson set single-season bests in innings (228; 1978), ERA (3.24; 1978) and wins (19; 1977) along the way.
Aside from a 33-start, 223-inning 1982 season in which Christenson posted a 3.47 ERA, injuries were a frequent problem from 1979 onward. Christenson made just 14 starts and threw 73 2/3 innings of 4.03 ERA ball during the regular season in 1980, but his contributions helped the Phillies earn another playoff berth. They went on to win their first World Series title that fall, upending the Royals in six games.
Christenson underwent elbow surgery in 1983, limiting him to nine starts and 48 1/3 frames. The Phillies released him after the season, and he never pitched again. Christenson wrapped up his career with an 83-71 regular-season record and a 3.79 ERA over 243 appearances and 1,402 2/3 innings. He also hit 11 home runs, tied with Rick Wise for most among pitchers in franchise history. He remained active in Phillies charities and other nonprofits in Philadelphia in his post-playing days.
“My heart is heavy today,” Phillies icon Larry Bowa stated. “LC was a tremendous teammate, an outstanding pitcher and a true friend. Win or lose, he was always the life of the clubhouse. He loved the game and enjoyed every minute of his big league career. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
MLBTR sends our condolences to Christenson’s family, friends, fans and former Phillies teammates.
