Larry Christenson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Larry Christenson spent all 11 seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He became one of the franchise’s most reliable pitchers during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Born in Everett, Washington, Christenson got drafted third overall by the Phillies in 1972. He moved up through their system fast and made his debut at just 19.

Christenson officially retired from professional baseball in 1983 after putting up an 83-71 record with 781 strikeouts and a 3.79 ERA over 243 games. His career saw both remarkable early success and some tough challenges, like multiple elbow surgeries that eventually shortened his time in the majors.

Even with those setbacks, he stayed a key contributor to the Phillies’ first World Series championship in 1980.

Larry Christenson’s story really shows the highs and lows of pro baseball. He went from an impressive 19-6 season in 1977 to years marked by injuries.

He started as a teenage prospect, became a World Series champion, and eventually made the jump to life after baseball. That journey says a lot about his dedication to the game and to the Philadelphia organization that believed in him from day one.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Larry Richard Christenson was born on November 10, 1953, in Everett, Washington.

His athletic skills stood out during his high school years in Marysville, where he got noticed as a multi-sport athlete before MLB scouts took interest.

High School Achievements in Marysville

Christenson went to Marysville High School, where people actually knew him more for basketball than baseball at first.

He stood 6’4″ and weighed 215 pounds, so he was pretty much built for the basketball court.

Still, his baseball talent started turning heads too. Christenson’s pitching really took off during high school.

By his senior year, he’d become a serious baseball prospect. His success in both sports showed just how athletic he was.

That size, his strong arm, and his competitive streak made him a top candidate for pro baseball. Soon, Major League teams started paying close attention to this young right-handed pitcher from Washington state.

MLB Draft and Signing with the Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies picked Christenson in the first round of the June 1972 draft.

They took him third overall, which really showed how much faith they had in his potential.

This high draft pick meant the Phillies expected Christenson to become a frontline starter.

They liked his size, arm, and that competitive fire—qualities every team wants.

Christenson signed with Philadelphia not long after the draft. That moment kicked off his 11-year career, all with the Phillies.

He moved through the minors quickly and reached the majors just a year later at age 19.

Major League Career Highlights

Larry Christenson made his mark as a reliable starting pitcher during his 11 years with the Phillies from 1973 to 1983.

His journey started with a memorable debut against the New York Mets at 19, and he developed into a steady presence in the rotation during several successful seasons.

Rookie Debut Against the New York Mets

Christenson debuted in the Major Leagues on April 13, 1973, against the New York Mets, just a teenager.

He became the 13,340th player in big league history when he took the mound for his first start.

In his debut, Christenson pitched a complete game, giving up only 5 hits and striking out 3.

He did walk 6 batters, but he held the Mets to just 1 earned run and snagged his first big league win.

That early success showed why the Phillies picked him in the first round of the 1972 draft.

Competing at the top level right out of high school? Pretty impressive.

Rise as a Starting Pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies

Christenson quickly became a key part of the Phillies’ starting rotation in the 1970s.

He passed rookie limits in 1974 and established himself as a regular.

The Washington native turned into a dependable starting pitcher who could handle a heavy workload.

His 6-foot-4 frame and strong right arm made him tough to face.

By the late 1970s, Christenson was one of the team’s most reliable starters.

He delivered quality innings and earned a reputation for durability.

He could do more than pitch, too. Christenson was a surprisingly good hitter for a pitcher.

He once hit two home runs in a single game and actually holds the Phillies record for career home runs by a pitcher with 11.

Career-Best Seasons and Statistics

Christenson hit his peak at age 24 in 1977, posting a 13-14 record with a 3.24 ERA.

That year was his best statistically in the majors.

He played a big part in the Phillies’ 1980 World Series championship team.

Christenson went 5-1 during the regular season and started Game 4 of the World Series, though he didn’t last long in that game.

In 1982, he stayed effective with a 9-10 record and 3.47 ERA.

But elbow problems that had bothered him for years eventually forced him back to surgery.

Career Statistics:

• Record: 83 wins, 71 losses
• ERA: 3.79
• Innings Pitched: 1,402.2
• Strikeouts: 781
• Games: 243

Christenson played his last game on June 3, 1983, against the San Diego Padres at just 29.

Elbow surgeries and arm issues cut short what could have been an even bigger career.

Postseason Performances and World Series Contributions

Larry Christenson pitched in multiple playoff runs with the Phillies, including their 1980 World Series win.

He posted a 1-2 record with a 7.40 ERA across six postseason games, but he made some key contributions during the championship season.

NLCS Appearances and Outcomes

Christenson pitched in several National League Championship Series during the Phillies’ run from 1976 to 1983.

His most notable NLCS moment came in 1980, facing the Houston Astros in a wild five-game series.

He struggled at times in the postseason, and his overall stats reflect how tough October baseball can be.

Still, his regular season performance helped keep the Phillies in the hunt, especially during their three straight NL East titles from 1976 to 1978.

In 1981, Christenson picked up a win in the National League Division Series against the Montreal Expos, even though he’d gone 4-7 in the regular season.

He could step up when the team needed him, even if things hadn’t gone his way earlier.

1980 World Series and Role in World Champions

The 1980 World Series was the high point of Christenson’s career as the Phillies finally captured their first championship.

He played his part in the deep rotation that carried the Phillies through the postseason.

The championship ended years of frustration for the franchise and its fans, and it cemented Christenson as a World Series winner.

His World Series stats became part of his overall postseason numbers.

He struck out 15 batters across six postseason games, showing he could still miss bats when it counted.

That championship ring stands out as a career highlight.

Notable Grand Slam and Offensive Highlights

As a National League pitcher, Christenson sometimes helped with the bat in big moments.

His offensive numbers weren’t flashy, but every so often, he’d provide a boost for his own cause and the team.

Christenson’s hitting stats look about what you’d expect from a pitcher in his era.

Sometimes, his at-bats in the postseason gave the Phillies a little extra depth when they needed it.

A few of his offensive moments, including any grand slam swings, showed that National League pitchers had to be ready for anything.

Those at-bats could come in high-pressure spots, especially in October.

Challenges, Injuries, and the Road to Retirement

Larry Christenson’s promising Phillies career took a tough turn as injuries piled up.

In the end, those setbacks forced him into early retirement.

Multiple surgeries and physical problems made his last years a real struggle.

Injuries Impacting Performance

Christenson’s career changed dramatically once elbow problems started interfering with his pitching.

He went through three elbow operations that really limited what he could do on the mound.

And it wasn’t just his arm. Christenson had five elbow surgeries and two shoulder operations in total.

Back and leg injuries piled on, too.

By the late 1970s, after his fantastic 1977 season where he went 19-6, staying healthy got harder and harder.

A strange accident during a 1979 charity bike-a-thon made things worse—he broke his collarbone, which didn’t help his recovery.

The Phillies watched as their former first-round pick battled to regain his early dominance.

His body just couldn’t hold up under the demands of pro baseball.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1983

Christenson’s last season with the Phillies came in 1983, ending an 11-year career that injuries cut short.

He was only 29 when he made the tough call to retire.

The guy who’d won his first big league game at 19 just couldn’t perform at the highest level anymore.

All those injuries made it impossible to keep competing.

Christenson finished with 781 strikeouts and an 83-71 record over 1,402.2 innings.

His 3.79 ERA tells the story of both his early success and the struggles that came later.

The Phillies had invested a lot in Christenson as their top pick in 1972.

His early retirement definitely left a hole in their pitching staff.

He tried to come back through surgeries and rehab, but it just didn’t work out.

Legacy and Impact on the Philadelphia Phillies

Larry Christenson’s decade with the Phillies left a real mark on the franchise during some of its best years.

He helped lay the foundation for the championship run, and his community work made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia.

Influence on Phillies’ Success in Late 1970s

Christenson became a cornerstone pitcher during the Phillies’ three straight NL East titles from 1976 to 1978.

He played a direct role in the team’s success during that stretch.

His best year was 1977, when he went 19-6 with a 4.06 ERA.

He won 15 of his last 16 decisions that season, delivering crucial wins as the team chased the playoffs.

Christenson’s consistency helped stabilize the Phillies’ rotation.

From 1976 to 1978, he averaged 12 wins a year and made 32 starts per season.

In 1978, he got the nod to start Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, which showed the team’s trust in him for big moments.

Even when injuries limited him in 1980, he still played a part in the Phillies’ first World Series championship.

Starting Game 4 of the World Series capped off his role in helping build the franchise’s championship core.

Relationship with Teammates and Phillies Community

Christenson built strong connections within the Philadelphia baseball community, and those relationships stuck with him even after his playing days. He kept close ties to the organization long after he retired in 1983.

You could really see his commitment to Philadelphia through his community involvement after baseball. He chose to live in the Philadelphia area and kept supporting local charities.

Christenson and the Phillies shared a relationship built on mutual respect and loyalty. The team appreciated what he did enough to keep him involved with franchise activities for years after he left the mound.

He worked with several charitable organizations around Philadelphia, showing a genuine dedication to giving back to the city that backed him throughout his career. That kind of involvement made people see him as more than just a former player.

He often showed up at team events and community functions, which only reinforced his status as a respected figure in Phillies history.

Life After Baseball

Larry Christenson moved from pitching to the financial world, building a solid career in institutional investing. He still kept his connection to Philadelphia baseball. His journey after retirement has spanned over three decades of business and community involvement.

Ventures in Institutional Investing

Christenson started his second career in 1986 with Prudential Securities in Philadelphia, just a year after he officially retired from baseball. He last pitched in 1983 before elbow surgery ended his career.

The switch wasn’t instant or easy. After retiring, Christenson went back to Everett, Washington. He spent time hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling.

He’d managed his baseball earnings well, but he realized he needed more income for long-term security.

Getting started came with its own challenges, especially when it came to building credibility. “It wasn’t easy to get credibility,” Christenson says. “People were saying, ‘Should we use you just because you’re a former baseball player?'”

He had to put up his own money at first just to get things going. The early market hours also made things tough, since trading started at 6:30 AM in Washington. That was a big shift for someone who wasn’t exactly an early riser during his playing days.

In 1989, Christenson joined Hamilton & Company in Princeton as managing director and consultant. He started out as the main marketer, meeting clients and figuring out what they needed, while his partners handled the investment strategies.

About twelve years ago, Christenson started Christenson Investment Partners in Conshohocken. The company represents a range of funds and has grown into a national powerhouse in investment consulting.

His company’s success comes from his growth beyond just marketing. He really learned how the markets work and developed a sharp sense for investment strategies.

Charitable Work and Presence at Phillies Events

Honestly, there’s not a ton of detailed info out there about Christenson’s charitable work or how often he pops up at Philadelphia Phillies events. Still, if you visit his office, you’ll see it’s loaded with memorabilia from his playing days—photos, bobblehead dolls, the works.

That stuff really shows how much he still feels connected to his baseball past.

He treasures a framed photo of himself meeting Pope John Paul II. That moment happened during a trip to Rome with a Philadelphia-area group, including Jim Murray, who used to be the Eagles’ general manager.

Christenson is a Phillie to the very marrow—no one seems to forget his role in the 1980 World Series championship. These days, he spends a lot of time with his daughters, Libby and Claire.

He also travels a ton for his investment firm, which keeps him busy.

His reputation as a former pitcher in Philly definitely gave his financial career a boost at the start. That said, he’s put in plenty of work to earn respect beyond just his time on the mound.