NEW YORK - CIRCA 1975: Larry Christenson #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the New York Mets during an Major League Baseball game circa 1975 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Christenson played for the Phillies f …
PHILADELPHIA - Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Larry Christenson died Friday, the team announced. He was 72.
Larry Christenson dies
What we know:
Christenson died unexpectedly Friday morning, according to the Phillies organization, while on a fishing trip with family and friends in his home state of Washington.
The backstory:
Christenson spent his entire 11-year MLB career in Philadelphia after he was drafted by the Phillies in the third round of the 1972 MLB Draft.
The right-hander was a member of the Phillies' World Series championship team in 1980, and won the National League pennant with the club in his final season in 1983.
Christenson is also tied with Rick Wise for the franchise record of home runs by a pitcher with 11. His most memorable was a grand slam against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 27, 1977 — a win that clinched the National League East for the Phillies.
Phillies remember "LC"
What they're saying:
Phillies great Mike Schmidt said Christenson was "very special, the guy that kept in touch with all of us."
"He always had a smile on his face, he never forgot a moment he spent with you," Schmidt said. "His passing will leave a hole in all of our hearts. May he rest in peace."
"My heart is heavy today," said former Phillies shortstop Larry Bowa. "LC was a tremendous teammate, an outstanding pitcher and a true friend. Win or lose, he was always the life of the clubhouse. He loved the game and enjoyed every minute of his big league career. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
The Source: Information in this story is from a press release from the Philadelphia Phillies organization, including quotes from former Phillies Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, as well as statistics from Baseball Reference.