Barry Larkin
The National League Most Valuable Player in 1995, Barry Larkin was the best shortstop in the National League in the 1990s, combining speed, power, and great athleticism. After ripping his teammates for lack of hustle in a team meeting in September, he helped lead the Reds to a shocking sweep of the A's in the 1990 World Series. In 1996, he became the first shortstop to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. Injuries in the second half of his career hindered his progress toward the upper echelon of great shortstops, but he still amassed great numbers and retired with credentials for the Hall of Fame.
| Career Batting Stats |
| G |
AB |
H |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
SLG |
OBP |
OPS |
OPS+ |
| 2180 |
7937 |
2340 |
1329 |
198 |
960 |
379 |
.295 |
.444 |
.371 |
.815 |
111.4 |
|
Where does Barry Larkin rank among baseball greats?
Barry Larkin ranks #3 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1996
Coming off his 1995 season, Larkin cranked it up a notch, hitting 33 homers, 13 more than any season in the past. He hit .298 (just missing his seventh .300 season), and set personal bests in runs (117) and RBI (89). He played 152 games, showing what he was capable of when he remained healthy. Realizing a new era of shortstop play had emerged, at the '96 All-Star game, Ozzie Smith presented Larkin with an autographed bat and proclaimed "the torch is now yours."
Let's Go Blue!
Larkin played for the University of Michigan in the 1980s, earning All-American honors and Big Ten Conference Player of the Year twice. Others to play for the Maize and Blue during the 1980s were Chris Sabo (later a teammate of Larkin's on the Reds), Jim Abbott and Jim Paciorek.
The Olympian
In 1984, Larkin batted .311 as the starting shortstop for the talented U.S. Olympic team which included future big league stars Will Clark and Mark McGwire.
Born
Barry Louis Larkin was born on April 28, 1964, in Cincinnati, OH.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Major League Debut
8 13,
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1986
Rafael Palmeiro
Barry Bonds
Fred McGriff
Barry Larkin
Bobby Bonilla
Ruben Sierra
Mark McGwire
Greg Maddux
David Cone
Family Tree
Larkin's brother, Stephen, an infielder in the Reds' porganization, was called up to Cincinnati to start the last game of the 1998 season at first base. With Bret and Aaron Boone at second and third, respectively, the Reds lineup was the first in baseball history to feature two sets of siblings.
Related Players
Dave Concepcion, Ozzie Smith, Maury Wills
Post-Season Appearances
1990 National League Championship Series
1990 World Series
1995 National League Championship Series
1995 National League Divisional Series
Awards and Honors
1994 NL Gold Glove
1995 NL Gold Glove
1995 NL MVP
1996 NL Gold Glove
Feats
Larkin was the first shortstop to steal 30 bases (36) and slug 30 homers (33) in a single season, in 1996... On June 27-28, 1991, Larkin became the first major league shortstop to hit five homers in two games.
Milestones
- June 18, 1993: 1000th Hit...
- May 9, 1997: 1500th Hit...
Batting Feats
- September 23, 1939: 6 Hits...
- June 28, 1991: 3 HR...
Hitting Streaks
23 games (1988)
21 games (1988)
19 games (1994)
19 games (1991)
All-Star Selections
1988 NL
1989 NL
1990 NL
1991 NL
1993 NL
1994 NL
1995 NL
1996 NL
1997 NL
1999 NL
2000 NL
2004 NL
Replaced
At the end of 1986, Larkin batted .283, starting 34 of his 41 games down the stretch, and began the 1987 season determined to beat out fellow prospect Kurt Stillwell as Dave Concepcion's successor. Larkin endured a sophomore slump during a first half which saw him hit just .209, but he rebounded late in the year to finish at a respectable .244 with 12 home runs and 21 stolen bases. In November, Stillwell was dealt to Kansas City for pitcher Danny Jackson.
Replaced By
Felipe Lopez
Best Strength as a Player
Athleticism
Largest Weakness as a Player
None, other than his inability to avoid injury. But he still collected more than 2,300 hits, nearly 200 home runs, and swiped 379 bases.
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