| Larry French | |
|---|---|
 1934 baseball card of French | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1907-11-01)November 1, 1907 Visalia, California, U.S. | |
| Died: February 9, 1987(1987-02-09) (aged 79) San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 18, 1929, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 26, 1942, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 197–171 |
| Earned run average | 3.44 |
| Strikeouts | 1,187 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Lawrence Herbert French (November 1, 1907 – February 9, 1987) was an Americanstarting pitcher inMajor League Baseball who played for thePittsburgh Pirates (1929–1934),Chicago Cubs (1935–1941), andBrooklyn Dodgers (1941–1942). Aknuckleball specialist, French threw left-handed and batted right-handed.
French was born inVisalia, California, in 1907. From 1926 to 1928, he played for thePortland Beavers of thePacific Coast League.[1] He then joined theNational League's Pittsburgh Pirates and was a workhorse for them, pitching over 260 innings every year from 1930 to 1934.[2]
The Pirates then traded French to the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Cubs from 1935 to 1941. He led the NL inshutouts in 1935, with four, and in 1936, with four again. French won at least 10 games every season from 1930 to 1940.[2]
After a poor start in 1941, French joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and played for them through the 1942 season before leaving professional baseball.[1]
In a 14-year major league career, French had a 197–171 record with a 3.44earned run average and 1,187strikeouts in 3,152innings pitched, including 40 shutouts and 198complete games. He had at least 10 starts and 6 games in relief in all 14 seasons of his career. As a hitter, French posted a .188batting average (199-for-1057) with 1home run, 83runs scored, 84runs batted in, and 48bases on balls in 570 games. Defensively, he recorded a .951fielding percentage. French played in the1935,1938, and1941 World Series, which were all losing efforts.[2]
One author described French as the best pitcher not in theBaseball Hall of Fame.[3]
With his team leading theBoston Braves 8–0 in the ninth inning during their game on July 12, 1933, reliever French figured he could duck out of the bullpen and hit the showers early. Little did he know as he was getting clean that the Braves had rallied to make the score 8–7. When the call came for French to pitch, he did not even have time to rinse off. He put on his uniform and hustled out to the mound with soap trickling down his neck.[4]
French joined theUnited States Navy after the 1942 baseball season and became a career sailor, serving in bothWorld War II and theKorean War.[5] He retired in 1969 with the rank ofCaptain,[3][6] having been awarded theLegion of Merit.[5]
French died inSan Diego, California, in 1987 at age 79.[2]