Phillies legend Larry Christenson passes away at 72

Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Larry Christenson, also known as L.C., died unexpectedly Friday at age 72 while on a fishing trip with family and friends in Washington, the team announced, having spent his entire 11-year Major League career with the organization.

A native of Everett, Washington, Christenson was selected by Philadelphia with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1972 MLB Draft out of Marysville High School. He reached the majors at just 19 years old and remained with the Phillies from 1973 through 1983, making 220 starts, the ninth-most in franchise history.

Christenson finished his career with an 83-71 record and a 3.79 ERA. He became an important member of Philadelphia’s rotation during the club’s run of three consecutive National League East titles from 1976 through 1978. During those three seasons, he went 45-28 with a 3.65 ERA across 616 innings. His best season came in 1977, when he won a career-high 19 games. He also surpassed 200 innings in 1977, 1978 and 1982.

In 1980, Christenson was part of the first Phillies team to win the World Series. Although injuries limited him to 14 starts that season, he went 5-1. His best postseason outing came in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, when he threw six scoreless innings in a game Philadelphia eventually lost 1-0 in extra innings.

Injuries, particularly problems involving his right elbow that required multiple surgeries, eventually shortened his career. His final MLB season came in 1983, when the Phillies won the National League pennant before falling to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

Christenson also produced one of the more unusual offensive performances by a Phillies pitcher. On Sept. 5, 1976, he hit two home runs while pitching 8⅓ innings and allowing one run in a 3-1 win over the New York Mets.

He was also the starting pitcher when Philadelphia debuted its burgundy “Saturday Night Special” uniforms on May 19, 1979. The Phillies lost 10-5 to Montreal, with Christenson taking the loss, and the uniforms were not used again that season. He later wore the jersey when introduced after the final game at Veterans Stadium in 2003.

After retiring, Christenson settled in the Philadelphia area, became successful in business and supported local charitable causes, including Phillies Charities, Inc. He was also included on a list of notable Phillies who never appeared in an All-Star Game.

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