Barry Larkin: The Football Redshirt
BigTen.org ran a story this morning on Barry Larkin and his story at Michigan. As many of you probably don't remember, Larkin was originally a football prospect.
Larkin was also given the chance to excel at both sports during his career. Entering his freshman season in Ann Arbor, he was redshirted by Schembechler, giving him the opportunity to fully concentrate on baseball. Having never seriously devoted time to baseball, Larkin found himself having immediate success on the diamond during his first year with the team. He hit .352 from the plate, had five home runs and 37 runs batted in, stole 13 bases and started all 57 games for the Wolverines. The shortstop was named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player after leading Michigan to the Big Ten Championship, and helped guide the Wolverines to a third-place finish in the first of two College World Series appearances during Larkin's career. It became obvious he was no longer an athlete playing baseball - he was now a baseball player beginning what would turn into a Hall of Fame career. He never played a down on the football field at Michigan Stadium.Click the link to read the whole story. Rather good story.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
Does he still have eligibility left?
February 26th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
I did not know this.
Does anyone know what position he played? With the way he used to throw the ball to first while jumping, he probably would have been a good receiver.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^
It mentions defensive back in the article. Apparently he developed his hands later.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
Yeah, I decided to read the article AFTER I asked the question. When I tried to edit my comment, it was too late.
Thanks.
February 26th, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
but there was a story going around that when Larking told Bo he was going to play baseball and not football, Bo told him he was making a big mistake and would never amount to anything in baseball. Even Bo wasn't perfect. ;>)
February 26th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
my favorite player. As a Michigan alum and Cincinnati Reds fan, kind of a no brainer. In addition, Larkin is simply a class act that played the game the right way, stayed with one team his whole career and really dominated the SS position in the early to mid 90's. Not a matter of if, but when, he goes to Cooperstown.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
I pay very little attention to HOF voting/ceremonies, but seriously, he's not in the HOF yet? That's ridiculous. He was a beast.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:27 PM ^
He just became eligible in the latest round. He wasn't a first ballot HOF'er, but I can't imagine him being kept out too long.
Barry Larkin Falls Short In Hall Of Fame Bid
He only garnered ~52% of the voters, which is a bit below the 75% cut-off (Andre Dawson was the lone inductee this year). That said, he's still one of the highest %'s returning. First ballot HOF'ers are a bit more special than even Larkin was. The only guys inducted with that honor this decade are Ricky Henderson, Gywnn, Ripken, Puckett, Winfield, Ozzie Smith, Eddie Murray, Eckersley, Molitor, and Boggs.
It's arguable that Larkin wasn't even the best shortstop out of that list (Ozzie), and his MLB hitting stats were just under what would be required of a first ballot HOF'er. Not saying I agree with that type of outlook, but he'll make it in within a few years.
Next year's HOF should be a good one for me. Bagwell retired in '05, and many see him as the no-doubt first year inductee. Larry Walker is a little less likely, Palmeiro even less. So yeah, I see him inducted probably in 3 years after the 2005 retirees have a little bit of time to simmer and Blyleven/Alomar get in first.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:32 PM ^
for the argument that Ozzie was a better SS than Larkin. Ozzie could field and do back flips. That's it. Larkin was an all-around player. Ozzie's batting statistics don't hold a candle to Larkin's yet Ozzie is a first ballot HOF and Larkin's not?! One of many things I don't understand about HOF voting. Not ranting against you, just the process.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:43 PM ^
I think part of that has to do with era as well. Ozzie started in the time when offense at short stop wasn't a big deal. Larkin was one of the first of the modern short stops that hit well. That and the unavoidable playing in a major baseball market, which I particularly hate being a factor, got him in. I still think Smith was the better fielder overall. In his time, that was more important.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:05 PM ^
It upsets me but, Alan Trammell has had little luck with HOF voters and I think Barry Larkin will have similar issues. Derek Jeter won't have this problem...
February 26th, 2010 at 1:07 PM ^
should be in the HOF. Both posted very similar numbers and Trammell has not been voted to the HOF yet(he should be in, his numbers are good enough to garner a spot in the HOF)
February 26th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
Must have been nice to have the Michigan infield for the Reds:
1B Hal Morris
SS Barry Larkin
3B Chris Sabo
February 26th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
It was awesome. Even better was when Morris and Larkin came back to UM for some event after the 1990 World Series championship and my buddy and I got wind of it and caught them on their way in. They signed baseballs for us and looked genuinely surprised and happy to see Reds fans in Ann Arbor.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
Saw a comparison during the Hall of Fame voting between Larkin and Trammell. Their numbers are eerily similar and yet Trammell is barely on the HOF radar. I love both guys, they were some of the first guys I can remember that had a great combination of fielding skills as well as batting.
Living in the Cincinnati area and being a fan of the Tigers and Reds I would love to see both guys elected into the hall. And yes, Ozzie was awesome but its ridiculous that he is in and they are not, as I recall his fielding % was not that much more significant than these 2 but his batting except for a few years was simply atrocious.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^
Where are you near Cincy? I lived in Centerville south of Dayton before moving to Indy.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^
both deserve to be in the HOF. One of the reasons Larkin didn't get in the first time around is that he had more than the normal amount of injuries, albeit minor. When you look at his career stats, you will note that he played in 150 or more games only three times. Most of the other years, he played in 130 or more games, but that's the kind of thing that impacts voters. Nevertheless, I would be shocked if Larkin isn't in the Hall by 2013.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:21 PM ^
I remember when 3/4 of the 1990 Reds infield was Michigan guys.
Larkin, Chris Sabo and Hal Morris
February 26th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^
that there was a short time that the Reds also had a second baseman with Michigan ties so that the whole infield was Blue (not Red).
February 26th, 2010 at 2:26 PM ^
It makes you wonder what could have been had he chose to play football.