Larry Andersen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry Eugene Andersen (born May 6, 1953 in Portland, Oregon) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and current color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1975 through 1994, Andersen played for the Cleveland Indians (1975-79), Seattle Mariners (1981-82), Philadelphia Phillies (1983-86, 1993-94), Houston Astros (1986-1990), Boston Red Sox (1990) and San Diego Padres (1991-92).
He batted and threw right handed. He possessed an average fastball, but had an outstanding slider (Andersen admitted that he actually had better command of his slider than his fastball). He is perhaps best known, in addition to his work with the Phillies broadcast team, as being the player who was traded for Jeff Bagwell. Many Red Sox fans lament this trade as being lopsided, as Bagwell went on to have a great career with the Houston Astros.
In a 17-season career, Andersen posted a 40-39 record with 49 saves and a 3.15 ERA in 699 games pitched. His best season was 1987 wherein he recorded Nine wins, 97 strikeouts, and 101 2/3 innings pitched, in 67 games – all career highs.
In 1995, Andersen was a player/coach for the Reading Phillies after failing to make the Major League club out of Spring Training. He spent the following two seasons as the pitching coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons before joining Philadelphia's broadcast team prior to the 1998 season. Andersen occasionally provides color commentary when the Phillies are featured regionally on FOX Saturday afternoon telecasts.
[edit] Post-Season Appearances
- 1983 World Series
- 1986 National League Championship Series
- 1990 American League Championship Series
- 1993 National League Championship Series
- 1993 World Series
[edit] Sources
Categories: Boston Red Sox players | Cleveland Indians players | Houston Astros players | Philadelphia Phillies players | San Diego Padres players | Seattle Mariners players | Major league pitchers | People from Portland, Oregon | Major league players from Oregon | 1953 births | Living people | Major League Baseball announcers
