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272. Larry French

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272. Larry French
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: November 1, 1907 in Visalia, CA USA
  • Weight: 195 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: April 18, 1929
  • Final Game: September 26, 1942
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1936
  • MVP - 1933
  • MVP - 1942
 
WLERAGGSSVIPSO
1971713.50570384173,152.01187
 

Debuting for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929, Larry French was a top knuckleball pitcher of the 1930s.

A Pirate until 1934, the southpaw was not just an upper-tier Pitcher; he is a possible candidate for the all-time underrated team.  French gave up a lot of Hits (he gave up the most annually from 1931 to 1933); he also kept walks to a minimum.  In six seasons, French was in the top ten in BB/9, and even though he was not a strikeout Pitcher, French still managed to have two top-ten finishes in SO/BB.  French also played for the Chicago Cubs from 1935 to 1941, and he closed off his career with a year and a half with Brooklyn.  French went to his lone All-Star Game in 1940.

Despite his 197-171 career record, French was never on a Hall of Fame ballot.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Visalia, California, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Thursday, 01 January 1948
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None) 
    All-Star (1) (1940)
    Most Games Pitched (1) (NL) (1932)
    Most Games Started (1) (NL) (1933)
    Most Shutouts (2) (NL) (1935 & 1936)
    Most Putouts by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1938)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Pitcher (1) (NL) (1935)

  • Other Points of Note:

    7 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (BB/9)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    44. Shutouts: 40
    75. Double Plays Turned by a Pitcher: 40

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: N/A
  • Should be Inducted As A: Chicago Cub

Should Larry French be in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 33.3%

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