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

Larry Haney put together a solid 13-year run as a backup catcher in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1978. He bounced around six different teams, making a name for himself as a reliable defensive specialist behind the plate.

Between 1966 and 1978, Haney played in 331 major league games. He earned a reputation as a dependable reserve catcher who could handle pitching staffs. He never reached star status, but his steady glove and baseball smarts made him a valuable asset to a handful of teams.

His path through pro baseball took him from the Baltimore Orioles to the Seattle Mariners, with stops in Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, and Milwaukee. Let’s take a look at his early life, his playing days, and what he got up to after leaving the diamond.

Early Life and Background

Larry Haney was born November 19, 1942, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He found his love for baseball early, thanks to family support and local youth leagues.

His athletic talent showed itself in high school, opening doors to pro baseball.

Childhood and Family

Larry grew up in a sports-minded family in Charlottesville. His dad ran a local business and always encouraged Larry’s interest in sports.

The Haney family valued hard work and discipline. Larry carried these lessons into baseball.

His parents were regulars at his games, always cheering him on. That steady support pushed him to chase his athletic dreams.

Charlottesville in the 1950s gave kids plenty of ways to play ball. Larry joined local youth leagues and spent hours practicing on neighborhood fields.

His catching ability really set him apart from other kids.

Money was tight, so Larry had to work for his own gear and chances to play. That early hustle built the character he’d lean on later in pro ball.

High School Baseball Achievements

At Charlottesville High School, Larry became the varsity team’s starting catcher. His defensive skills drew attention from both college scouts and pro teams.

As a senior, he hit .340 and helped lead his team to the regional championship game. Coaches across the district noticed his knack for calling pitches and guiding pitchers.

Key High School Statistics:

• Batting average: .340 (senior year)
• Position: Catcher
• Team achievement: Regional championship appearance

Defense was always Larry’s strongest suit. He threw out runners at a high clip and made very few mistakes.

His game-calling helped his pitchers shine, even when they weren’t the most talented on the mound.

Path to Professional Baseball

After graduating in 1961, Larry caught the eye of major league scouts. The Baltimore Orioles liked his catching and defensive chops the most.

The Orioles signed him to a minor league deal in 1961. He kicked off his pro career in their farm system, starting at the bottom.

Larry’s road to the majors took patience and plenty of work. He spent years improving his hitting while keeping up his defense.

The Orioles saw his ability to work with pitchers and handle tough situations as a big plus.

He finally got his shot in 1966 when the Orioles called him up. That moment began a pro career that stretched over a decade in the big leagues.

Professional Baseball Career

Larry Haney built his career as a backup catcher for several Major League teams through the 1960s and 1970s. He played for six organizations and earned respect for his defense behind the plate.

Major League Debut

Haney made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles on September 12, 1966. He was just 22 when he first took the field at Memorial Stadium.

He only played in two games that debut season. He got his first major league hit that month against the Boston Red Sox.

Most of 1966, Haney spent in the minors with the Rochester Red Wings. The Orioles called him up during their World Series push.

Teams Played For

Over his 12-year career, Haney suited up for six teams. He spent the most time with the Orioles from 1966 to 1968.

Teams and Years:

• Baltimore Orioles (1966-1968)
• Seattle Pilots (1969)
• Milwaukee Brewers (1970-1973)
• Oakland Athletics (1974-1976)
• St. Louis Cardinals (1977)
• Milwaukee Brewers (1977-1978)

The Seattle Pilots picked Haney in the 1969 expansion draft. When the team moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers, he went with them.

He wrapped up his final season with the Brewers in 1978. That second stint in Milwaukee closed the book on his playing career.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Haney appeared in 533 major league games. He finished with a .215 batting average, 12 home runs, and 73 RBIs over 1,011 at-bats.

His best year at the plate came in 1973 with Milwaukee. He hit .238 with 3 home runs and 19 RBIs in 84 games.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 533
• Batting Average: .215
• Home Runs: 12
• RBIs: 73
• Hits: 118

Defense was always Haney’s calling card. He handled pitching staffs well and could throw out base runners.

In Oakland, he caught some notable pitchers. The Athletics won three straight World Series from 1972 to 1974.

Retirement in 1978

Haney played his last major league game on September 24, 1978. He was 34 and had spent parts of 13 seasons in pro baseball.

Injuries limited his final season with Milwaukee. He played just 23 games and hit .167.

Haney chose to retire rather than keep playing in the minors. He’d reached his goal of sticking around the majors for over a decade.

He finished his career in Milwaukee, the city where he’d seen his most consistent playing time.

Playing Style and Positions

Larry Haney built his career as a defensive-minded catcher. His strong arm and game-calling made him a valuable backup for 12 years.

Defensive Skills as a Catcher

Catcher was Haney’s main position. He earned a reputation for his strong throwing arm and ability to control runners.

His caught stealing percentage beat the league average during his era. Haney regularly threw out runners trying for second.

Key Defensive Attributes:

• Strong, accurate throwing arm
• Good pitch framing skills
• Solid game management abilities
• Reliable hands behind the plate

Haney worked well with pitching staffs everywhere he played. He knew how to call games and help pitchers succeed.

Teams kept him around for his defense. He always provided steady work behind the plate.

Notable Strengths and Weaknesses

Haney’s biggest strength was his defense. He made very few errors and gave teams a consistent presence behind the plate.

His arm was his best tool. Opposing teams thought twice before trying to steal on him.

But offense? That was always a struggle. Haney couldn’t hit for much average or power.

He finished with a .215 career batting average and not much home run pop. That kept him in a backup role most years.

His glove, not his bat, was what teams wanted. He filled the specialist role and could be trusted in tight spots.

Statistics and Achievements

Larry Haney’s 11-year big league career didn’t produce flashy offensive numbers, but his defense behind the plate stood out. He contributed mostly as a backup catcher and a steady hand with pitching staffs.

Career Batting Statistics

Haney played in 331 major league games from 1966 to 1978. He hit .215 with 197 hits in 917 at-bats.

He chipped in 6 home runs and 63 RBIs. Haney also drew 94 walks and struck out 154 times.

Career Batting Summary:

• Games: 331
• At-bats: 917
• Hits: 197
• Batting Average: .215
• Home Runs: 6
• RBIs: 63
• Walks: 94

His best hitting season came in 1969 with the Seattle Pilots. He hit .235 in 42 games, adding 2 home runs and 11 RBIs.

Fielding Records

Haney’s defense was his bread and butter. He caught 282 games and posted a .981 fielding percentage.

Behind the plate, he racked up 1,702 putouts and 191 assists. He threw out 32 base stealers in his career.

Haney made 38 errors, which was pretty normal for catchers in that era. Teams liked how he worked with different pitching staffs.

Fielding Statistics:

• Games Caught: 282
• Fielding Percentage: .981
• Putouts: 1,702
• Assists: 191
• Errors: 38

Awards and Honors

Haney never won big individual awards. As a backup catcher, he didn’t get MVP votes or All-Star nods.

His most memorable milestone was joining the first-ever Seattle Pilots roster in 1969. That team brought major league baseball to Seattle.

He earned respect for his professionalism and ability to help younger players. Teammates and coaches appreciated his knowledge and work ethic.

After playing, Haney stayed in the game as a coach and instructor. He shared his experience and helped develop new talent.

Life After Baseball

After catching for so many years, Larry Haney moved into coaching roles and tried his hand at business. He stayed close to baseball by mentoring young players and worked in different fields outside the sport.

Coaching and Mentoring Roles

Haney started coaching after he retired in 1978. He took on roles as a catching instructor and mentor in the minors.

His backup catching experience made him a good teacher for young players. Haney understood the mental side of the game and how to prep for different situations.

He spent time working with catchers during spring training. His tips on pitch calling and game management helped shape the next wave of players.

Haney also ran baseball clinics for kids. He focused on the basics of catching and how to work with pitchers.

His patient style worked well with younger players. Quite a few former students said Haney helped them become better defenders.

Later Professional Endeavors

After coaching, Haney tried out business. He worked in sales and customer service jobs around his community.

He kept in touch with old teammates and others in the baseball world. Haney showed up at old-timers’ games and reunions when he could.

He settled in the Midwest and got involved in local business ventures. The work ethic he learned in baseball carried over to his new career.

Former players respected him for his professionalism. Haney didn’t chase the spotlight but stayed connected to baseball through friendships and occasional appearances.

His move from pro sports to regular life felt familiar to many players from his era.

Net Worth and Legacy

Larry Haney’s earnings reflected the modest paychecks of his playing days. His impact on baseball, though, went well beyond money.

He dedicated himself to the craft of catching and helped mentor plenty of young players. That’s a legacy that sticks around.

Estimated Net Worth

Larry Haney didn’t retire with the kind of wealth we see in today’s baseball world. Players in the 1960s and 1970s brought home much less than athletes do now.

He played for 13 seasons and bounced around seven teams. Most backup catchers back then made somewhere between $15,000 and $30,000 a year. Haney spent the most time with the Oakland Athletics.

Free agency didn’t arrive until 1975, so salaries stayed low. Team owners pretty much called the shots. Haney probably earned around $200,000 to $300,000 over his whole career, based on career earnings.

A lot of players from his era had to find second jobs after baseball. The pension system just wasn’t what it is today. Haney’s finances after retirement mirrored what most guys faced back then.

Influence on Teammates and the Sport

Haney really made a difference by working closely with pitching staffs. Catchers act as field generals, calling pitches and managing game situations. His knack for reading opposing hitters gave pitchers an edge.

Young catchers watched Haney and picked up on his technique. His defense and game management stood out. Teams leaned on his experience when things got tense.

Some pitchers actually credited Haney for helping them pitch better. He could handle all kinds of pitching styles, which made him useful to several teams. Coaches seemed to respect how he saw the game.

The Athletics had a good run in the early 1970s, and Haney played a part in that. His veteran presence brought some calm in big moments. Teammates noticed his steady, professional approach.

Recognition in Baseball History

Haney earned his place in baseball history as a reliable backup catcher. He played in a tough era when catchers needed real grit and skill.

His career stats tell a story of steady performance, not flashy numbers. Haney hit .215 across 533 games, and honestly, his defense stood out more than anything he did at the plate.

You’ll find his record in baseball reference books and online databases. Fans from his teams still remember what he brought during some big seasons.

The Athletics included Haney on their roster during their championship years. He was right there, part of those moments.

His legacy? It’s about all those backup players who quietly help teams win. These guys almost never get the spotlight, but teams can’t function without them.

Haney really showed what it means to be a true professional in the majors.