Barry Larkin - Hall of Famer

[batsfan]

Just announced on MLB Network! He made it in with 86% of the vote!

[UKFlounder]

Cool!

Congrats Barry!

[cincy09]

Just announced on MLB Network! He made it in with 86% of the vote!

I'll be there!

[MrCinatit]

Way to go, Mr. Larkin!

[CySeymour]

Much deserved!

[Gallen5862]

Welcome to the Hall of Fame Barry Larkin.

[TStuck]

Another member from our proud and historic franchise!
Congrats Barry!

[CarolinaRedleg]

Barry's reaction to making the Hall:

https://p.twimg.com/AivhNwXCEAAPiW1.png:large

Excited much?

https://twitter.com/#!/SportsCenter/status/156466238502080514/photo/1/large

[Boss-Hog]

Awesome news...I'm very happy for Barry.

[redsmetz]

Here's betting that Lark puts in a good word for his mentor, Davey Concepcion, in his speech.

[Sea Ray]

Just announced on MLB Network! He made it in with 86% of the vote!

That's great to see and 86% is impressive. Did anyone else make it or will he have the stage to himself?

[Chip R]

That's great to see and 86% is impressive. Did anyone else make it or will he have the stage to himself?

No one else made it.

[RollyInRaleigh]

Congratulations to a wonderful player. Now if we can just get Davey in.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Good for Barry! Well deserved. :thumbup:

[Strikes Out Looking]

Richly deserved -- but how can he be ready for the HOF? It seems he was just a rookie yesterday.

[HokieRed]

Terrific news. Congrats to Barry, always a tremendous pleasure to watch.

[Kc61]

When you think about it, there aren't too many players who do everything very well at a premium position.

Larkin undoubtedly was one of them.

Glad the Reds stuck with him over Kurt Stillwell.

[mdccclxix]

Boy he set the bar so high. I grew up thinking that's how the game should be played. The loud sucking noise at SS since 2004 affirmed that. So glad I got to see him play.

[Ron Madden]

Good for Barry! He deserves it.:thumbup:

[OnBaseMachine]

Congrats Barry! Thank you for all the incredible memories!

[George Anderson]

Thank You Bill Bergesch.

Congrats #11

[MikeThierry]

Congrats to Barry Larkin. :)

[GullyFoyle]

The only jersey I have ever owned, from any sport ... congrats Barry. Well deserved.

[top6]

Awesome. Congratulations.

Although this is a little bittersweet. He is the first player I've really followed as a fan from his rookie year until his Hall of Fame entrance. I think I may be getting old.

[Brutus]

Great to hear. I still don't like the whole "first ballot Hall of Famer" type stuff that happens with the BWAA, but at least he got in as he should.

[Johnny Footstool]

I was 14 and living in Wichita in 1986, when my family and I took our first trip back to Cincinnati in nearly 10 years. While we were there, I read an article in the paper about a local kid named Barry Larkin who had just been called up. I was hoping to see his first game, but unfortunately we decided to go to the game on 8/14 instead of 8/13. I was somewhat disappointed at the time, but I had no idea that I had just missed seeing a Hall of Famer make his major league debut.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198608130.shtml

Congratulations, Barry!

[RBA]

Barry's reaction to making the Hall:

https://p.twimg.com/AivhNwXCEAAPiW1.png:large

Excited much?

https://twitter.com/#!/SportsCenter/status/156466238502080514/photo/1/large

Maybe he can do one of those Kitchen makeover shows. Blue cabinets, yikes.

[Johnny Footstool]

Maybe he can do one of those Kitchen makeover shows. Blue cabinets, yikes.

When you're in the Hall of Fame, you can decorate your kitchen however you want.

[Spitball]

Congratulations to Barry Larkin! He certainly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

[Roy Tucker]

Very very cool.

[Johnny Footstool]

Will he go in as a Red?

[Edd Roush]

I can't wait to be there.

[HeatherC1212]

Congrats Barry!!! :)

I'll be the first to admit I got a little teary when the news was announced earlier today. I wasn't following baseball as much in the 80s (I was involved with a lot and never got to see many games) but by the 90s he became one of the first players I ever started really following and rooting for because he was a hometown guy and an awesome player too. I was at his Reds HOF ceremony at GABP a few years ago and it was an awesome experience. Really hope I can get up to Cooperstown and see him go into the Baseball HOF too. I'm stoked about this news and also kind of excited that he's going to get the moment all to himself in Cooperstown. Way to go Barry!!! :jump:

[paulrichjr]

Will he go in as a Red?


:laugh::lol::lol::laugh:

Congratulations Barry! One of my greatest memories is watching him (live) do a flip (Like Ozzie) when the Reds clinched the pennant in 1990. He was the only one I remember watching to see the reaction....

[Larkin Fan]

Congrats Barry. You earned it! It's a great day to be a Reds fan.

[RFS62]

Fantastic news. Well deserved, Barry.

[Redsfan320]

I was too late joining the Reds fan community to see him play, but I've heard nothing but good about him. Congratulations Mr. Larkin! :thumbup:

320

[919191]

This is great. Hoping I can swing a family vacation to Cooperstown this summer.

This make anybody else feel old? It doesn'y seem that long ago he came up.:)

[Joseph]

My wife grumbled a bit when she heard the news because she knows vacation this year is now scheduled for Cooperstown, NY. No beach vacation, no mountain retreat, but instead the hustle and bustle of HoF weekend. We are making it a baseball weekend by going to see The Mets and Dodgers Friday, then to Boston for Red Sox and Blue Jays on Saturday [or vice versa] then the HoF Sunday. Then as a follow up Toronto to the hockey HoF.

Thanks to Barry for all the years of great baseball. A true class act in my eyes. One of my two favorite players as a kid, the other being Eric Davis. Congrats for getting elected to the HoF and thanks for helping plan my summer vacation.

[pedro]

Congratulations to my favorite baseball player ever.

[Krusty]

Congratulations Barry. Job well done. Now hopefully Cozart can be half the player Larkin was at the position.

[Brutus]

I was too late joining the Reds fan community to see him play, but I've heard nothing but good about him. Congratulations Mr. Larkin! :thumbup:

320

You definitely missed out. Best defensive player in the majors, Ozzie's backflips notwithstanding, but also the best hitting shortstop of his time.

[jojo]

Congrats to Barry and the entire Reds organization....no amount of rain can dampen the sunshine today....HUGE NEWS

[_Sir_Charles_]

Congratulations Lark! Well deserved. I only wish I'd gotten to see you play more often. His run in Cincy pretty much coincided with my period away from the game (due to moving to H-town and my hatred of the Astros...left little else to watch). I got to see him during away games or the rare Cincy televised game (nationally). He was always a joy to watch at the dish and with the leather. Such a rare combination at such a defensive-oriented position. And whats more...it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Congrats!

[RollyInRaleigh]

Will probably be a long time before we see a player of his caliber play his entire career for the Reds. May never see it again.

[remdog]

Well earned and well deserved by you Mr. Larkin.

Now we just need to get Davy in that same HOF.

Rem

[Vottomatic]

In case he reads this board, he'd want to hear it from me. Congrats Barry. :D

[_Sir_Charles_]

I guess Jeff Bagwell has to be optimistic now. 41 percent his first year, up to 56 percent this time. A few others took some solid steps forward too.

Jack Morris up to 66% from 53% a year ago. Lee Smith up 5% to 50%. Tim Raines up to 48% from 37% and Alan Trammel up from 23% to 36%.

So for 2013, who do YOU think gets in? I personally think both Bagwell & Morris will get in. The new candidates will certainly stir the pot though. Clemens, Bonds, Sosa, Piazza, Schilling and Biggio. I think Piazza and Biggio are slam-dunks but not first ballots. Schilling...I'm on the fence with. Clemens, Bonds and Sosa. Sosa I stick in the Palmerio box. Clemens & Bonds...the two greatest players of their generation without a doubt IMO. If they fail to get in I'd rank it right up there with Rose not being in.

[The Voice of IH]

Will he go in as a Red?

It depends on whether he is going in as a player of assistant GM.

[Hap]

http://c-product.images.dreamsretail.com/66-05/66-05567-F.jpg

Now my brand new shirt I just purchased in October is out of date. I guess I'll have to write him in.

[SirFelixCat]

Congrats, Barry! Well deserved and excited for him, the Reds, and Reds fans! :thumbup:

[Cedric]

Congrats Barry! You made this city proud every inning, every game!

[WrongVerb]

Way to go Barry!!

[reds1869]

Thrilled to see one of my favorites going into the Hall. Richly deserved. Congrats, Barry!

[BoydsOfSummer]

To borrow a popular phrase from the period when he arrived...Like, totally awesome!

[kbrake]

2 baseball trips to New York this year. Going in May for Reds-Mets and Reds-Yankees in the same week and then my first ever trip to Cooperstown in July for induction weekend. Can't wait. Congrats, Barry!

[RFS62]

Barry was a consummate professional. One of the only good things about seeing the Reds on the road, which I've done many times over the years, is that you get to see them take batting practice.

Anyone who ever watched Barry take batting practice would never question situational hitting or a great hitters ability to do different things with the bat. It was a joy to watch him prepare for a game.

One of the most complete players I ever saw.

[westofyou]

Barry was a consummate professional. One of the only good things about seeing the Reds on the road, which I've done many times over the years, is that you get to see them take batting practice.

Anyone who ever watched Barry take batting practice would never question situational hitting or a great hitters ability to do different things with the bat. It was a joy to watch him prepare for a game.

One of the most complete players I ever saw.

He did everything and had his head in every game

I loved the way he made me feel about baseball

See ya in Cooperstown

[edabbs44]

Congrats Barry. See you there.

[AmarilloRed]

Congratulations to Barry, you deserved it.

Quick question, is he the first Red to make the Hall since the BRM days?

[Danny Serafini]

Congratulations to Barry, you deserved it.

Quick question, is he the first Red to make the Hall since the BRM days?

Yes he is. It's the first time a Red has been inducted since Sparky, Perez and Bid McPhee all went in 2000.

[VR]

Being sandwiched between the Ozzie and ARod shortstop didn't do him any favors......I believe he and Sandberg redefined the middle infield in baseball. A true game-changer.

[westofyou]

In June of 1985, the Reds used their 1st round pick on a college position player for the first time ever.

The prior year pitcher Pat Pacillo had been the first college player ever chosen by the Reds in the 1st round. The fact that this occurred in the 20th year of the drafts existence was not lost on Bill James who addressed the Reds drafting strategy in his 1984 Baseball Abstract.

The position player?

Barry Larkin, shortstop, University of Michigan.

1985 also is the last year that Dave Concepcion ever played over 100 games at shortstop in a season, as for shortstop, the The Reds are the only team with a SS with 2000 starts and they have two of them, they also are the only team with four SS with 1000 starts. An amazing sign of stability at a position that is very volatile.

[Ghosts of 1990]

Awesome! Congrats Lark! I miss watching him play.

[Ron Madden]

Roy McMillan, Leo Cardenas, Dave Concepcion, Barry Larkin.

That's a heck of a run. 1951-2004.


:clap::clap: :clap::clap:

.

[WVPacman]

Congrats to Barry Larkin for making it into the HOF.If there is one person that deserved it then its Barry Larkin.:thumbup:

[Blitz Dorsey]

I love it! Congrats Lark!

And this is proof that not EVERYTHING associated with the University of Michigan is bad. You know, such as three-fourths of the '90 Reds infield. (Sabo, Lark, Morris.)

Well-deserved No. 11, well-deserved. I thought he would make it this year, but great to hear it's official. I also like that he's the only member of the 2012 HOF class.

[mth123]

Well deserved. Great player. Seems like a great guy. Happy as a Reds fan and thrilled for Larkin,

[Ron Madden]

Here's a nice article about Barry written by John Erardi back in 1990.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120109/SPT04/301090156/Larkin-butterfly-emerging-from-his-cocoon?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

.

[gilpdawg]

Sooo...I've never been to Cooperstown. No time like the present I guess. How much you think one would pay for a room for a couple of nights?

[cumberlandreds]

Congrats to Larkin! He was the best overall SS of his era. He could do it all. Just not field his position. I wish I could have seen him play more. I saw the beginning of his career but moved out of Reds country in 1990 and didn't see him very much afterwards.
I saw Eric Davis on the MLB Network last night. I thought what a shame he had so many injuries or he could have been right there with Larkin on the HOF stand.

[redsmetz]

What was so pleasing was that he was elected so handily this year. Talk had been that he would just squeak by or just miss - 86% is a very good number.

BTW, note has been made that Lark is the 48th player to enter the Hall who only played for one team. I found the list and put up this Sporcle quiz:

http://www.sporcle.com/games/jametz/mlb-hall-of-fame-players-who-only-played-for-one-team

[Roy Tucker]

SI photos of Barry...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1201/barry.larkin.classic.photos/content.1.html

[traderumor]

I attended Barry's first start, which actually was at 2b in the first game of a DHer vs. the San Diego Padres. Stillwell was the starting SS. Who knew?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198608151.shtml

He also got his first major league hit in that game.

[CySeymour]

My dad and I were at the game in August 17th, 1986, when Larkin hit his first career home run against Lamar Hoyt of the Padres. What was interesting was it was one of 3 home runs the Reds hit that inning. Even more interesting was that the other two, Buddy Bell and Ron Oester, also grew up in Cincinnati.

[George Anderson]

My dad and I were at the game in August 17th, 1986, when Larkin hit his first career home run against Lamar Hoyt of the Padres. What was interesting was it was one of 3 home runs the Reds hit that inning. Even more interesting was that the other two, Buddy Bell and Ron Oester, also grew up in Cincinnati.

There was a picture taken around that year of all the Cincy natives on the team. Rose, Parker, Oester, Bell, Larkin and one other. I think it was a pitcher but can't remember.

[Chip R]

There was a picture taken around that year of all the Cincy natives on the team. Rose, Parker, Oester, Bell, Larkin and one other. I think it was a pitcher but can't remember.

Probably Chris Welch.

[Larkin Fan]

Probably Chris Welch.

Or Chris Welsh even.

[RedsBaron]

What was so pleasing was that he was elected so handily this year. Talk had been that he would just squeak by or just miss - 86% is a very good number.

BTW, note has been made that Lark is the 48th player to enter the Hall who only played for one team. I found the list and put up this Sporcle quiz:

http://www.sporcle.com/games/jametz/mlb-hall-of-fame-players-who-only-played-for-one-team

I got 41 out of 48.

[George Anderson]

Probably Chris Welch.

I thought it was him but he was born not in Cincy. But I guess he was raised there.

[westofyou]

I thought it was him but he was born not in Cincy. But I guess he was raised there.

Had to be him as he was on that team and was known as local

[redsmetz]

I thought it was him but he was born not in Cincy. But I guess he was raised there.

I see WOY noted Welch was raised in Cincinnati. For that matter, Buddy Bell wasn't born in Cincinnati either. He was born in Pittsburgh where his Dad first played. He's considered local since all the kids grew up here in Cincinnati even after Gus left the Reds (I went to grade school with his brother & sister, who were both in my class).

[Big Klu]

I see WOY noted Welch was raised in Cincinnati. For that matter, Buddy Bell wasn't born in Cincinnati either. He was born in Pittsburgh where his Dad first played. He's considered local since all the kids grew up here in Cincinnati even after Gus left the Reds (I went to grade school with his brother & sister, who were both in my class).

Dave Parker wasn't born in Cincinnati, either. He was born in Grenada, Mississippi and moved to Cincinnati as a small child (though I doubt that he ever was small in the first place).

[Blitz Dorsey]

I attended Barry's first start, which actually was at 2b in the first game of a DHer vs. the San Diego Padres. Stillwell was the starting SS. Who knew?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198608151.shtml

He also got his first major league hit in that game.

Yep, Stillwell even had what would end up being Larkin's No. 11. Lark wore No. 15 when he first came up.

[crazybob60]

Congrats Barry! Very proud of this moment and hopefully the sea of Red that will be up in Cooperstown that weekend.

I will be the first person to eat my crow about Barry. I was a Stillwell fan growing up and was really upset as an 8 year old kid when they traded him away and decided to go with Barry.

In the end, I am glad we kept him.

Way to go, and I hope that I can make it up there in July. I have only been one other time. I believe, if I am not mistaken, me and my family stayed at a Bed and Breakfast like 5-10 minutes from Cooperstown when we went. Avoiding all the hotel mess and junk.

[Rojo]

Beside it being Barry, it's nice to see the Hall induct a position player who's game isn't just putting the ball over the fence.

[Matt700wlw]

Larkin is the first Cincinnati native inducted into Cooperstown.


Unfortunately, Griffey, Jr (when he gets his) was born in Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, Pete Rose is banned.

[Mario-Rijo]

Congrats Barry it was only a matter of time. I hope to see ya in Cooperstown this summer, it'll be my 1st time as well.

:beerme::thumbup:

[redsmetz]

A friend's daughter wrote this on her Facebook wall:

"Barry Larkin's election to the MLB hall of fame makes me really happy. When I was 14 I called up 700 WLW and spoke on-air to that cocky [edited by me: "sonuvagun"] Andy Furman about why he didn't think Barry Larkin was a hall of famer and I did. Now Barry is on his way to Cooperstown! Put that in your obnoxious cigar and smoke it, Furman!!"

[Matt700wlw]

What year was that? I wonder if I was running his show then...lol

[redsmetz]

What year was that? I wonder if I was running his show then...lol

She said 88 or 89, so her enthusiasm was fairly premature - but had great foresight!

[15fan]

Being sandwiched between the Ozzie and ARod shortstop didn't do him any favors......I believe he and Sandberg redefined the middle infield in baseball. A true game-changer.

Larkin was more bat than Ozzie, but not as much of a bat as Ripken. If I had to argue, I'd say that because of his size & power, Ripken was a bigger step in the evolution of SS.

Regardless, it's good to see Larkin going into the HoF. As I told my uncle, on numbers alone, Larkin's probably on the fringe of HoF-ness. The fact that he put up the numbers while playing his career during the Rose/Schott/Bowden circuses makes it all the more impressive.

[Matt700wlw]

She said 88 or 89, so her enthusiasm was fairly premature - but had great foresight!

Nevermind. l was 8.

[WVRedsFan]

Late on this, but I am thrilled. Looking at the pictures ( and I know no one will agree), I miss the vest, sleeveless uniforms that made the Reds unique from the 1950's to not so long ago. They looked less like pajamas than the Lilly white unis of today. Whatever, the generic uniforms ale no difference. It's a thrill to see another armed in the HOF.

[RichRed]

"My first interaction with the guy I idolized as a kid," Larkin said, "Dave Parker walks into the room and says, 'Hey, this guy's going to take your job.' I'm sitting there, looking at Parker and I'm going, 'You're not supposed to be saying that.'

"Davey looked at my hands and saw all the calluses from working out and said, 'No, you're not going to take my job. Your hands are too hard.'"


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/joe_lemire/01/10/barry.larkin.hof/index.html?xid=siextra_011112

[Johnny Footstool]

Late on this, but I am thrilled. Looking at the pictures ( and I know no one will agree), I miss the vest, sleeveless uniforms that made the Reds unique from the 1950's to not so long ago. They looked less like pajamas than the Lilly white unis of today. Whatever, the generic uniforms ale no difference. It's a thrill to see another armed in the HOF.

I agree. The sleeveless look was perfect. Unfortunately, too many other teams copied it, and it lost its uniqueness.

[Ron Madden]

I agree. The sleeveless look was perfect. Unfortunately, too many other teams copied it, and it lost its uniqueness.

I loved the sleeveless uniforms when they wore them with red undershirts.

I didn't like'em when they wore them with black undershirts.

[westofyou]

I agree. The sleeveless look was perfect. Unfortunately, too many other teams copied it, and it lost its uniqueness.

Reds copied it from the Cubs originally

[George Anderson]

Reds copied it from the Cubs originally

So the story of Big Klu starting the look isn't accurate?

[_Sir_Charles_]

So the story of Big Klu starting the look isn't accurate?

The way I understood it was that Klu did it himself, just ripped them off of his normal sleeved uniform. But the Cubs were the first TEAM to do it on purpose...after Klu.

But I'll take WoY's take on it as fact.

[westofyou]

1940 Cubs

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?fileName=nl_1940_chicago.gif&Entryid=636

[_Sir_Charles_]

Well, that settles that. Klu's rookie year was 47 or 48 IIRC. Thanks WoY.

[Johnny Footstool]

Reds copied it from the Cubs originally

Sure, the Reds didn't originate the look, but for a time, there weren't a lot of other teams using it.

[Roy Tucker]

Watching the local sports last night, they had a short interview with Barry.

One of the questions they asked was who was going to introduce him at the HoF induction ceremony. Barry's immediate answer was George Grande which made me chuckle since I know how there are differing opinions about George here in RZ land.

Larkin then kinda backed off of that answer and said "we'll just have to see, I don't know right now". I know that in the past, Grande has served as emcee for the HoF induction but I didn't know if he still does that or not.

[Chip R]

Watching the local sports last night, they had a short interview with Barry.

One of the questions they asked was who was going to introduce him at the HoF induction ceremony. Barry's immediate answer was George Grande which made me chuckle since I know how there are differing opinions about George here in RZ land.

Larkin then kinda backed off of that answer and said "we'll just have to see, I don't know right now". I know that in the past, Grande has served as emcee for the HoF induction but I didn't know if he still does that or not.

It'd be funny if he wanted Pete to introduce him. :D

[RollyInRaleigh]

Sure, the Reds didn't originate the look, but for a time, there weren't a lot of other teams using it.

The Cubs used the look from 1940-1942. I think the Reds and Pirates were the first teams to use the look for an extended period. The Reds from 1956-1966 and the Pirates from 1957-1970, mid season (June) when they left old Forbes Field and moved into Three Rivers Stadium. With that, they ushered in the beltless/double knit era in baseball uniforms. The KC/Oakland A's also wore vests from 1962-1971, with some of the most exotic colors in baseball history. Originally red, white, and blue, Charlie Finley turned the A's into "an exotic blend of "Wedding Gown" white, "Kelly" green and "Tulane" gold in various combinations" with white shoes to boot. Just in time for the color TV age.

[OnBaseMachine]

From the Reds website:

Without going into detail, the Reds revealed they plan to hold a Barry Larkin Night during the 2012 season, and there will also be a Larkin exhibit all year at the club's Hall of Fame. An announcement for both honors will come at a later date.

Larkin also said he is making plans of his own celebration with fans of Cincinnati, but has yet to get specific.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120111&content_id=26316840&vkey=news_cin&c_id=cin

[Edd Roush]

It'd be funny if he wanted Pete to introduce him. :D

In his press conference yesterday, Barry did say that Pete called him to congratulate him. Pete had to be seeing dollar signs when he saw that a former Red got inducted and he could see a bunch of autographs to Reds' fans in Cooperstown this summer... :laugh:

[Hoosier Red]

It'd be funny if he wanted Pete to introduce him. :D

At that point the HOF might say, you realize you're not in yet right. :)

[George Anderson]

Pete had to be seeing dollar signs when he saw that a former Red got inducted and he could see a bunch of autographs to Reds' fans in Cooperstown this summer... :laugh:

No truer words have ever been spoken. However I doubt if there is a single Reds fan out there that doesn't have his autograph already. It isn't a horribly difficult thing to get.

It is almost worth starting a thread asking "does anyone NOT have a Pete Rose autograph?" ;)

[Johnny Footstool]

In his press conference yesterday, Barry did say that Pete called him to congratulate him. Pete had to be seeing dollar signs when he saw that a former Red got inducted and he could see a bunch of autographs to Reds' fans in Cooperstown this summer... :laugh:

Remember, Pete was the Reds manager when Barry got called up, and he managed the early part of Larkin's career. I remember seeing an interview with Pete a few years ago when he talked about how much he valued helping guys get their start in the big leagues. He named Larkin, Kurt Stillwell, and even Terry McGriff, and I had a gut feeling that he was being sincere.

Besides, he sells autographs in Cooperstown every year.

[redsmetz]

Here's an interesting piece from the Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/sports/baseball/the-1990-reds-finally-make-the-hall-of-fame.html?ref=baseball

[Edd Roush]

Remember, Pete was the Reds manager when Barry got called up, and he managed the early part of Larkin's career. I remember seeing an interview with Pete a few years ago when he talked about how much he valued helping guys get their start in the big leagues. He named Larkin, Kurt Stillwell, and even Terry McGriff, and I had a gut feeling that he was being sincere.

Besides, he sells autographs in Cooperstown every year.

I believe you are correct. I was just trying to make a cheap joke. Pete does sell autographs every year, but this year in particular he should be busy. I can't want to see Cincinnati take over Cooperstown.

[Johnny Footstool]

I believe you are correct. I was just trying to make a cheap joke. Pete does sell autographs every year, but this year in particular he should be busy. I can't want to see Cincinnati take over Cooperstown.

It was a good joke, and one that Pete deserves.

I do think that he has a genuine soft spot for the players he got to mentor as a manager. I believe he's as proud of Barry as he would have been if Pete Jr. was being inducted into the HOF.

[crazybob60]

Do you think having Davey introduce him would deter too much from Larkin's day? That would be a pretty neat thing and also a silent way of giving Davey some press for the Hall as well.

[George Anderson]

Do you think having Davey introduce him would deter too much from Larkin's day? That would be a pretty neat thing and also a silent way of giving Davey some press for the Hall as well.

I hate to be blunt but have you ever heard Davey speak english?? Understanding him is incredibly hard.

[RollyInRaleigh]

I hate to be blunt but have you ever heard Davey speak english?? Understanding him is incredibly hard.

:lol: :beerme:

[TheBurn]

-from the Orlando Sentinel:


While Larkin, known for his complete well-rounded game as a shortstop, didn't leave an indelible mark on baseball history like Ruth, Clemente or Robinson, his career is a shining example of winning in excellence despite the muck. He reminds us of a place and time before the steroids era when we thought we could trust statistics were earned, not enhanced. Championships were won, not bought. And humility was expected, not praised.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mike Piazza will become eligible for the Hall of Fame next year and will pepper ballots as a silent reminder of baseball fans' lost naiveté shortly after the 1990s' "golden era."

...Cheers to the 2,340 hits and 1,329 runs we won't question. Cheers to the 198 home runs and 379 stolen bases we won't doubt.

Complete story: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-shannonowens-barry-larkin-0117-2-20120116,0,5637138.column