Barry Larkin
From BR Bullpen
Barry Louis Larkin
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- School University of Michigan
- Debut August 13, 1986
- Final Game October 3, 2004
- Born April 28, 1964 in Cincinnati, OH USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Barry Larkin was a prominent shortstop for 19 years in the major leagues. He was named to the All-Star team 12 times, won the National League MVP award in 1995, and won 3 Gold Gloves. He played his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds.
Larkin was born in 1964 in Cincinnati, OH where he was a three sport star at Moeller High School. He graduated in 1982 and was drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds, but after distinguished careers in baseball and football that earned him scholarship offers in football from the University of Notre Dame and both baseball and football from the University of Michigan, he chose to play baseball at the University of Michigan. He was the starting shortstop for the United States in the 1984 Olympics.
Larkin was once again drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the 4th overall pick of the 1985 draft. He was the 1986 MVP of the American Association. He made his major league debut on August 13, 1986.
He won the 1993 Roberto Clemente Award and 1994 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.
Larkin was won a very close race to be named National League MVP over Dante Bichette in 1995. The following year, Larkin became the first shortstop to hit more than 30 homeruns and to steal more than 30 bases in a single season. In 1997, he was named the first team captain since Dave Concepcion.
Based on the similarity scores method, the most similar players to Larkin are Alan Trammell, Ryne Sandberg, Joe Cronin, Lou Whitaker, and Roberto Alomar.
Larkin is the older brother of Stephen Larkin. On September 27, 1998, the Cincinnati Reds started an infield of Aaron Boone, Bret Boone, Stephen Larkin, and Barry Larkin marking the first time in history that two sets of siblings made up an infield.
Other brothers are Mike Larkin, who played football at Notre Dame, and Byron Larkin, all-time leading scorer in Xavier University basketball history.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1986 MVP American Association Denver Zephyrs
- 12-time NL All-Star (1988-1991, 1993-1997, 1999, 2000 & 2004)
- NL MVP (1995)
- 3-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1994, 1995 & 1996)
- 9-time NL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1988-1992, 1995, 1996, 1998 & 1999)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1991 & 1996)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1996)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1996 & 1999)
- 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 1 (1995)
- Won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990
| NL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
| Jeff Bagwell | Barry Larkin | Ken Caminiti |
