Larry Christenson, the longtime Philadelphia Phillies pitcher who helped the franchise win its first World Series championship in 1980, has died at 72.
Christenson died unexpectedly on August 28 while on a fishing trip with family and friends in Washington state, the Phillies announced. The team did not disclose a cause of death.
The news brought tributes from two men who shared the clubhouse with him during one of the most successful stretches in Phillies history. Mike Schmidt remembered Christenson as a friend of 50 years, while Larry Bowa called “LC” an outstanding pitcher and the “life of the clubhouse.”
Christenson spent all 11 of his major league seasons in Philadelphia. He arrived as a teenager in 1973, was still there when the Phillies won the World Series seven years later and finished with 83 victories, 220 starts and one of the more unusual hitting records held by a Phillies pitcher.
The Phillies Said Christenson Died During a Washington Fishing Trip View this post on InstagramA post shared by phillies (@phillies)
The club said Christenson was with family and friends when he died Friday morning in Washington. No additional circumstances were announced.
PEOPLE reported that Christenson was on the fishing trip when he died and noted that the Phillies described his death as unexpected. The organization sent condolences to his daughters, Claire and Libby, along with his extended family, friends and former teammates.
The Phillies did not describe his death as a fishing accident, and no official cause of death has been released.
He Won a Complete Game in His MLB Debut at 19Christenson reached the majors quickly. Philadelphia selected the right-hander out of Marysville High School in Washington with the third overall pick in the first round of the 1972 MLB Draft.
On April 13, 1973, the 19-year-old faced the New York Mets at Veterans Stadium and went the distance in a 7-1 Phillies victory. MLB noted that Christenson remains the last pitcher to earn a complete-game victory while making his major league debut as a teenager.
He moved between the majors and minors early in his career before securing a regular place in Philadelphia’s rotation. By the second half of the 1970s, Christenson was pitching alongside a core that repeatedly pushed the Phillies into October.
His Biggest Regular-Season Moment Included a Grand SlamChristenson’s best season came in 1977, when he won 19 games as Philadelphia captured its second consecutive National League East title. The clincher at Wrigley Field looked unusual even by the standards of pitchers hitting for themselves.
Christenson not only earned the pitching victory against the Chicago Cubs on September 27; he hit a grand slam and drove in five runs as the Phillies won 15-9. He finished that season 19-6 and earned National League Pitcher of the Month honors for September.
He continued producing occasional power throughout his career. MLB records credit Christenson with 11 career home runs, tying Rick Wise for the most by a pitcher in Phillies history.
Christenson Returned From Elbow Surgery for the 1980 Title RunInjuries followed Christenson for much of his career. During the 1980 championship season, he underwent elbow surgery in May and returned to the Phillies in August while the club was chasing the National League East.
He finished the regular season 5-1 and appeared during Philadelphia’s postseason run. Christenson pitched in the deciding Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against Houston before starting Game 4 of the World Series against Kansas City.
That World Series start was brief. The Royals scored four runs in the opening inning, and Christenson was removed after recording one out. Philadelphia lost the game 5-3, tying the series at two games apiece, but responded by winning Games 5 and 6 to claim the first World Series championship in franchise history.
Christenson was also part of the 1983 National League pennant-winning club, although elbow problems kept him out of that postseason. The 1983 season became the final one of his major league career.
Mike Schmidt Remembered a Friendship That Lasted 50 YearsSchmidt’s statement focused on the relationship that continued long after both men stopped playing. He remembered Christenson as someone who stayed in touch with former teammates and rarely forgot the time he had spent with people.
“Larry was very special,” Schmidt said in the Phillies’ announcement, adding that Christenson “always had a smile on his face.” Schmidt said his death would leave a hole in the hearts of the people who knew him.
Bowa remembered the energy Christenson brought into the clubhouse regardless of the score. “LC was a tremendous teammate, an outstanding pitcher and a true friend,” he said, adding that Christenson loved baseball and enjoyed his major league career.
He Stayed Connected to Philadelphia After BaseballChristenson retired with an 83-71 record, a 3.79 ERA and 781 strikeouts across 1,402 2/3 innings. His 220 starts remain ninth on the Phillies’ career list.
He also kept a connection to the organization after his playing days, supporting Phillies Charities and other nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area. He returned to Citizens Bank Park for alumni events, including a 2022 appearance before a game against Washington.
The Phillies said the organization and its fans remained grateful for his contributions and the legacy he left in Philadelphia.
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