Time for MLB throwback Thursday, it will be on Barry Larkin. Barry Larkin was drafted out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd round of the 1982 MLB draft. But he ended up going to the University of Michigan to play baseball. When 1985 came around, the Reds redrafted Larkin in the 1985 MLB draft.
While in the minors, Larkin played on the Vermont Reds team that won the 1985 Eastern League Championship. In 1986 he won the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year while playing with the Denver Zephyrs in AAA.
Larkin first full season in the Majors in 1987, he batted .244, hit 12 home runs and drove in 43 RBIs. He also added 21 stolen bases. In 1988, Larkin established himself as the Reds everyday shortstop. The Reds shortstop batted .296 with 12 home runs and drove in 56 runs while adding 40 steals. Also in that season, he made it to the National League all-star team.
The Reds won the World Series in 1990 against the Oakland A’s. Larkin hit .353 in the series to help lead the Reds to victory in a four-game sweep. In 1991, Larkin earned his 4th straight All-Star appearance. He was quickly becoming one of the best shortstops in the league.
Larkin stayed steady in the early 1990s and by the time 1995 came around he had his best season. In 1995, Larkin won his first and only MVP award. He batted .319 and hit 15 home runs while adding 66 RBIs. Also, Larkin stole a career 51 bases as he led the Reds to a division title. In 1996, he hit a career-high 33 home runs and had 30/30 season. 30 home runs with 30 stolen bases.
In 1997 Larkin was named Reds team captain. Also in that season, he suffered a lot of injuries. He had calf and Achilles tendon injuries. Towards the final few years of Larkin career he had been injured a lot, in the 2002 season, he batted a career-low .245. He did not miss any games that season but had plenty of nagging injuries. In 2004, Larkin played in his last season and then retired. In his final season, he batted .289 with 8 home runs.
Larkin played 19 years for the Reds had a career batting average of .295 with 2,340 hits, 198 home runs, 960 RBIs and 379 stolen bases. Also, he was 12-time All-Star, 3-time gold glove award winner and 1995 MLB MVP, and World Series Champion.
Barry Larkin was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012 and is also in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. I hope you enjoyed this week’s MLB throwback Thursday, stay tuned for next week ‘s MLB throwback Thursday poll on the @bellyupbaseball twitter account.
