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He was signed by the [[Houston Colt.45s]] at age 17 after winning a bidding war with teams such as the [[Chicago Cubs]] to sign him for $55,000. Dierker made his major-league pitching debut on his 18th birthday – and [[strikeout|struck out]] [[Willie Mays]] in the first inning. He pitched {{frac|2|2|3}} innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, three walks while having three strikeouts; he was credited with the loss while starting his career with a 6.75 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196409220.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants at Houston Colt .45s Box Score, September 22, 1964}}</ref> He pitched in two other games that season, both being the last pitcher for the team, although they were both in losses. In 1965, he appeared in 26 games while garnering a 7–8 record, a 3.50 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 146.2 innings. In the following year, he went 10–8 while having a 3.18 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 29 game appearances and 187 innings pitched. He pitched in just 15 games for the 1967 season, though he went 6–5 with a 3.36 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 99 innings. His 1968 season was not too much better as he went 12–15 in 32 games with a 3.31 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 233.2 innings. He pitched the Opening Day game for the Astros that season. He pitched a [[complete game]] against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], allowing four runs on six hits as the Astros pulled a 5–4 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196804100.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros Box Score, April 10, 1968}}</ref>
He was signed by the [[Houston Colt.45s]] at age 17 after winning a bidding war with teams such as the [[Chicago Cubs]] to sign him for $55,000. Dierker made his major-league pitching debut on his 18th birthday – and [[strikeout|struck out]] [[Willie Mays]] in the first inning. He pitched {{frac|2|2|3}} innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, three walks while having three strikeouts; he was credited with the loss while starting his career with a 6.75 ERA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196409220.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants at Houston Colt .45s Box Score, September 22, 1964}}</ref> He pitched in two other games that season, both being the last pitcher for the team, although they were both in losses. In 1965, he appeared in 26 games while garnering a 7–8 record, a 3.50 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 146.2 innings. In the following year, he went 10–8 while having a 3.18 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 29 game appearances and 187 innings pitched. He pitched in just 15 games for the 1967 season, though he went 6–5 with a 3.36 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 99 innings. His 1968 season was not too much better as he went 12–15 in 32 games with a 3.31 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 233.2 innings. He pitched the Opening Day game for the Astros that season. He pitched a [[complete game]] against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], allowing four runs on six hits as the Astros pulled a 5–4 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196804100.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros Box Score, April 10, 1968}}</ref>


In 1969, he became the Astros' first 20-game [[win (baseball)|winner]], while compiling a 2.33 [[earned run average]], 20 [[complete game]]s and 232 strikeouts over 305 [[innings pitched|innings]]. He was elected to the National League [[1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team that season. He went 16–12 the following season on 37 games while having a 3.87 ERA and 191 strikeouts on 269.2 innings pitched. In 1971, he went 12–6 on 24 game appearances while having a 2.72 ERA and 91 strikeouts on 159 innings pitched while being named to the [[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]], although an elbow injury ended his season after August.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://baseballpastandpresent.com/interviews/larry-dierker/an-interview-with-larry-dierker/ | title=An interview with Larry Dierker – Baseball: Past and Present }}</ref> In 1972, he went 15–8 while having a 3.40 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 31 game appearances and 214.2 innings. He appeared in just 14 games in 1973 due to an injury to his shoulder, going 1–1 while having a 4.33 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 27 innings. Dierker toiled with rotator cuff injuries for the next couple of years. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-23-sp-305-story.html | title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: LARRY DIERKER : From Mound to Mike : His Astro Days over, Taft High Product Dierker Regales TV-Radio Audiences | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=June 23, 1990 }}</ref> He rebounded a bit the following year, going 11–10 with a 2.90 ERA and 150 strikeouts on 223.2 innings and 33 games. He went 14–16 the next year while having a 4.00 ERA and 127 strikeouts on 232 innings and 34 games. 1976 was his last full season of play along with his last with the Astros. He went 13–14 while having a 3.69 ERA and 112 strikeouts on 187.2 innings and 28 games. On July 9 of that year, Dierker [[no-hitter|no-hit]] the [[Montreal Expos]] 6–0 before 12,511 fans at the [[Astrodome]], recording eight strikeouts along the way.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197607090.shtml|title=Montreal Expos at Houston Astros Box Score, July 9, 1976}}</ref> On November 23, 1976, he was traded (along with Jerry DaVanon) to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for [[Bob Detherage]] and [[Joe Ferguson (baseball)|Joe Ferguson]].
In 1969, he became the Astros' first 20-game [[win (baseball)|winner]], while compiling a 2.33 [[earned run average]], 20 [[complete game]]s and 232 strikeouts over 305 [[innings pitched|innings]]. He was elected to the National League [[1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team that season. He went 16–12 the following season on 37 games while having a 3.87 ERA and 191 strikeouts on 269.2 innings pitched. In 1971, he went 12–6 on 24 game appearances while having a 2.72 ERA and 91 strikeouts on 159 innings pitched while being named to the [[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]], although an elbow injury ended his season after August.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://baseballpastandpresent.com/interviews/larry-dierker/an-interview-with-larry-dierker/ | title=An interview with Larry Dierker – Baseball: Past and Present }}</ref> In 1972, he went 15–8 while having a 3.40 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 31 game appearances and 214.2 innings. He appeared in just 14 games in 1973 due to an injury to his shoulder, going 1–1 while having a 4.33 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 27 innings. Dierker toiled with rotator cuff injuries for the next couple of years. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-23-sp-305-story.html | title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: LARRY DIERKER : From Mound to Mike : His Astro Days over, Taft High Product Dierker Regales TV-Radio Audiences | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=June 23, 1990 }}</ref> He rebounded a bit the following year, going 11–10 with a 2.90 ERA and 150 strikeouts on 223.2 innings and 33 games. He went 14–16 the next year while having a 4.00 ERA and 127 strikeouts on 232 innings and 34 games. 1976 was his last full season of play along with his last with the Astros. He went 13–14 while having a 3.69 ERA and 112 strikeouts on 187.2 innings and 28 games. On July 9 of that year, Dierker [[no-hitter|no-hit]] the [[Montreal Expos]] 6–0 before 12,511 fans at the [[Astrodome]], recording eight strikeouts along the way.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197607090.shtml|title=Montreal Expos at Houston Astros Box Score, July 9, 1976}}</ref> On November 23, 1976, he was traded (along with Jerry DaVanon) to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for [[Bob Detherage]] and [[Joe Ferguson (baseball)|Joe Ferguson]].


The 1977 season was his last season in baseball. He pitched in 11 games while garnering a 2–6 record with a 4.58 ERA and six strikeouts on 39.1 innings. He garnered his last victory on July 1 with a seven-inning, five-hit performance while allowing only one run in a 3–1 win over the [[Chicago Cubs]]. His last appearance was a one-inning performance on October 1 against the [[New York Mets]], walking one on no hits and runs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=dierkla01&t=p&year=1977|title = Larry Dierker 1977 Pitching Game Logs}}</ref> On March 28, 1978, he was released by the Cardinals.
The 1977 season was his last season in baseball. He pitched in 11 games while garnering a 2–6 record with a 4.58 ERA and six strikeouts on 39.1 innings. He garnered his last victory on July 1 with a seven-inning, five-hit performance while allowing only one run in a 3–1 win over the [[Chicago Cubs]]. His last appearance was a one-inning performance on October 1 against the [[New York Mets]], walking one on no hits and runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=dierkla01&t=p&year=1977|title = Larry Dierker 1977 Pitching Game Logs}}</ref> On March 28, 1978, he was released by the Cardinals.


As of 2019, Dierker is the last 17-year-old to make his major league debut.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/Youngest_leagues.shtml Yearly League Leaders & Records for Youngest] at [https://www.baseball-reference.com Baseball-Reference.com]</ref>
As of 2019, Dierker is the last 17-year-old to make his major league debut.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/Youngest_leagues.shtml Yearly League Leaders & Records for Youngest] at [https://www.baseball-reference.com Baseball-Reference.com]</ref>
Line 88: Line 88:
The stories include a wide range of subjects and little known "back story" narratives about Players, Stadiums, Records, Promos and Unusual Events, Pitching, Openers and Debuts, Hitting, and All-Star Games.
The stories include a wide range of subjects and little known "back story" narratives about Players, Stadiums, Records, Promos and Unusual Events, Pitching, Openers and Debuts, Hitting, and All-Star Games.


SABR Houston honored him by naming a chapter in Dierker's name.<ref>https://sabrhouston.org/</ref>
SABR Houston honored him by naming a chapter in Dierker's name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sabrhouston.org/ |title=SABR Houston – Larry Dierker Chapter |publisher=Sabrhouston.org |date= |accessdate=2022-09-19}}</ref>


==Managerial records==
==Managerial records==

Revision as of 14:38, 19 September 2022

Larry Dierker
Dierker in 2014
Pitcher / Manager
Born: (1946-09-22) September 22, 1946 (age 77)
Hollywood, California
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 22, 1964, for the Houston Colt .45s
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 1977, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record139–123
Earned run average3.31
Strikeouts1,493
Managerial record435–348
Winning %.556
Teams
As player

As manager

Career highlights and awards

Lawrence Edward Dierker (born September 22, 1946) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, manager, and broadcaster. During a 14-year baseball career as a pitcher, he pitched from 1964 to 1977 for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals. He also managed the Astros for five years (1997–2001).

Early life

Dierker was born in Hollywood, California. The Dierkers lived in Reseda near the San Fernando Valley before moving to Woodland Hills (a neighborhood of Los Angeles) when Dierker was in the 7th grade. He honed his baseball in the West Valley Little League before playing on the varsity team of William Howard Taft Charter High School.

Playing career

Larry Dierker's number 49 was retired by the Houston Astros in 2002.

He was signed by the Houston Colt.45s at age 17 after winning a bidding war with teams such as the Chicago Cubs to sign him for $55,000. Dierker made his major-league pitching debut on his 18th birthday – and struck out Willie Mays in the first inning. He pitched 2+2⁄3 innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, three walks while having three strikeouts; he was credited with the loss while starting his career with a 6.75 ERA.[1] He pitched in two other games that season, both being the last pitcher for the team, although they were both in losses. In 1965, he appeared in 26 games while garnering a 7–8 record, a 3.50 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 146.2 innings. In the following year, he went 10–8 while having a 3.18 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 29 game appearances and 187 innings pitched. He pitched in just 15 games for the 1967 season, though he went 6–5 with a 3.36 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 99 innings. His 1968 season was not too much better as he went 12–15 in 32 games with a 3.31 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 233.2 innings. He pitched the Opening Day game for the Astros that season. He pitched a complete game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing four runs on six hits as the Astros pulled a 5–4 win.[2]

In 1969, he became the Astros' first 20-game winner, while compiling a 2.33 earned run average, 20 complete games and 232 strikeouts over 305 innings. He was elected to the National League All-Star team that season. He went 16–12 the following season on 37 games while having a 3.87 ERA and 191 strikeouts on 269.2 innings pitched. In 1971, he went 12–6 on 24 game appearances while having a 2.72 ERA and 91 strikeouts on 159 innings pitched while being named to the All-Star Game, although an elbow injury ended his season after August.[3] In 1972, he went 15–8 while having a 3.40 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 31 game appearances and 214.2 innings. He appeared in just 14 games in 1973 due to an injury to his shoulder, going 1–1 while having a 4.33 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 27 innings. Dierker toiled with rotator cuff injuries for the next couple of years. [4] He rebounded a bit the following year, going 11–10 with a 2.90 ERA and 150 strikeouts on 223.2 innings and 33 games. He went 14–16 the next year while having a 4.00 ERA and 127 strikeouts on 232 innings and 34 games. 1976 was his last full season of play along with his last with the Astros. He went 13–14 while having a 3.69 ERA and 112 strikeouts on 187.2 innings and 28 games. On July 9 of that year, Dierker no-hit the Montreal Expos 6–0 before 12,511 fans at the Astrodome, recording eight strikeouts along the way.[5] On November 23, 1976, he was traded (along with Jerry DaVanon) to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bob Detherage and Joe Ferguson.

The 1977 season was his last season in baseball. He pitched in 11 games while garnering a 2–6 record with a 4.58 ERA and six strikeouts on 39.1 innings. He garnered his last victory on July 1 with a seven-inning, five-hit performance while allowing only one run in a 3–1 win over the Chicago Cubs. His last appearance was a one-inning performance on October 1 against the New York Mets, walking one on no hits and runs.[6] On March 28, 1978, he was released by the Cardinals.

As of 2019, Dierker is the last 17-year-old to make his major league debut.[7]

On May 19, 2002, the Astros honored Dierker, retiring his No. 49 jersey.

Broadcasting

From 1979 to 1996, Dierker served as a color commentator on the Astros' radio and television broadcasts, a position he returned to in 2004 and 2005. In 1995, Dierker alongside Pete Van Wieren called Games 1–3 of the National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies for The Baseball Network. The first two games were broadcast on NBC while Game 3 was on ABC. In 2019, he was put onto the Wall of Honor of the press box at Minute Maid Park for his broadcasting.[8]

Managerial career

Dierker was elected National League Manager of the Year in 1998. Houston finished in first place in four of the five years Dierker managed the team, failing only in 2000 when the Astros placed fourth.

The 1998 team, bolstered by a trade for Randy Johnson at the deadline, won 102 games to set a new club record. The mark would not be passed for two decades.

In 1999, Dierker had a medical scare during a game against the San Diego Padres. The Houston manager had been plagued by severe headaches for several days. During the June 13 game, Dierker had a grand mal seizure that rendered him unconscious and nearly killed him. He required emergency brain surgery for a cavernous angioma caused by a tangle of blood vessels in his brain. The game was suspended with the Astros ahead 4–1; it was not completed until the Padres returned to Houston on July 23 (the Astros won, 4–3). After four weeks of recovery, he returned to the helm of the Astros and guided the team through the duration of the season. The Astros won 97 games and a third consecutive National League Central Division title.

Dubiously, he has the most postseason appearances for a manager without winning a single postseason series (four).

On October 19, 2001, Dieker resigned. [9]

Later career

In 1998, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.[10] Dierker penned a book entitled This Ain't Brain Surgery, which detailed his baseball career as a pitcher and a manager. He later wrote My Team, in which he ruminated on the greatest players he had been witness to in his years of baseball.

After a short period where Dierker had terminated relations with the club, as of 2015, the Astros' website lists Dierker as employed by them in the role of Special Assistant to the President, Reid Ryan.

In 2017, Dierker and Benjamin Scardello created a podcast called 49's Fastball in which Dierker shares baseball stories he researched going back to the early years of baseball.

The stories include a wide range of subjects and little known "back story" narratives about Players, Stadiums, Records, Promos and Unusual Events, Pitching, Openers and Debuts, Hitting, and All-Star Games.

SABR Houston honored him by naming a chapter in Dierker's name.[11]

Managerial records

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
HOU 1997 84 78 .519 1st in NL Central 0 3 .000 Lost NLDS to ATL
HOU 1998 102 60 .630 1st in NL Central 1 3 .250 Lost NLDS to SD
HOU 1999 84 51 .622 1st in NL Central 1 3 .250 Lost NLDS to ATL
HOU 2000 72 90 .444 4th in NL Central – – – –
HOU 2001 93 69 .574 1st in NL Central 0 3 .000 Lost NLDS to ATL
Total 435 348 .556 2 12 .143

See also

References

  1. ^ "San Francisco Giants at Houston Colt .45s Box Score, September 22, 1964".
  2. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros Box Score, April 10, 1968".
  3. ^ "An interview with Larry Dierker – Baseball: Past and Present".
  4. ^ "WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: LARRY DIERKER : From Mound to Mike : His Astro Days over, Taft High Product Dierker Regales TV-Radio Audiences". Los Angeles Times. June 23, 1990.
  5. ^ "Montreal Expos at Houston Astros Box Score, July 9, 1976".
  6. ^ "Larry Dierker 1977 Pitching Game Logs".
  7. ^ Yearly League Leaders & Records for Youngest at Baseball-Reference.com
  8. ^ "To know Larry Dierker is to know Houston baseball". September 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "Dierker pays the price, but Astros may not profit".
  10. ^ "Larry Dierker".
  11. ^ "SABR Houston – Larry Dierker Chapter". Sabrhouston.org. Retrieved September 19, 2022.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
July 9, 1976 		Succeeded by
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