Slightly OT - Barry Larkin is finally checking into Cooperstown this weekend

Submitted by 96goblue00 on

I read this nice piece on Barry and thought I would share in honor of his upcoming induction.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/hof12/story/_/id/8182143/barry-larkin-cincinnati-reds-inducted-hall-fame

Very happy to see him finally getting the nod (Personally, I think he should have been elected on his first ballot). He was a great player. His accolades (12× All-star, 3 Gold Gloves (would have had more had it not been for Ozzie), 9 Silver Sluggers, NL MVP) certainly speak to that. He definitely was one of the greatest short-stops to play the game, certainly one of the greatest of the 80s/90s; up there with Ozzie and Ripken. Had he not been plagued by injuries, I feel he could have gone down as THE best of his era (his offensive stats dwarf Ozzie's). More importantly, he was a class act and continues to be a community leader through his foundation and philanthropic work. Proud that he wore the Maize 'n' Blue.

PS Here is an interesting article comparing Barry Larkin and Ozzie Smith

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125646-ozzie-smith-vs-barry-larkin-whos-the-better-major-league-shortstop

Raoul

July 20th, 2012 at 4:57 PM ^

A fact sheet on Larkin's induction was published at mgoblue.com that has a lot of good information and several links. Also includes the TV coverage:

TV COVERAGE: The National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony will occur on Sunday (July 22) at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony will be televised by MLB Network (channel 740 on Comcast in Ann Arbor).

There's also a cincinnati.com article that's worth reading for those not familiar with Larkin's decision to give up football: Larkin's choice to play baseball disappointed his football coaches

Schembechler, then coach at Michigan, was among many who recruited Larkin for football. Larkin went to Michigan and was a football redshirt as a freshman, then told Schembechler he wanted to play baseball only. The fiery Schembechler was furious.



“He said, ‘Larkin, this is the University of Michigan!’” Larkin told ESPN Playbook in a recent interview. “No one comes to the University of Michigan and plays stinkin’ baseball!”



Schembechler went on: “You get out of this office, and you come back tomorrow when you come to your senses!”

WhoopinStick

July 20th, 2012 at 5:30 PM ^

I was at the hall of fame a few weeks ago and Barry's picture was already posted both inside and outside.  Very cool to think that I went to school with him and got to watch him play at UM. 

UM Indy

July 20th, 2012 at 6:17 PM ^

to the induction ceremony and I'm fired up. Will be interesting to see how many UM folks show up and what Barry says about his time there.

96goblue00

July 20th, 2012 at 6:51 PM ^

I have never been to Cooperstown but I had a friend who grew up there. He said induction week is great. Most of the living HOFers (who can manage) come up for the weekend. You literally bump into them in the street, since the place is so small.