Al Lary – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Most baseball fans remember the superstars who played for decades. Fewer recall the players who had brief moments in the spotlight before stepping away from the game.

Al Lary is one of those fascinating stories. He was a multi-talented athlete who made his mark both on the diamond and the gridiron before he wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1962.

Alfred Allen Lary retired from professional baseball in 1962 after a 12-year career. He spent brief stints with the Chicago Cubs and logged plenty of time in the minors.

This right-handed pitcher from Alabama played in just 29 major league games across three seasons. Still, his journey through pro baseball tells a story of perseverance and athletic versatility.

From his record-setting days as a two-sport star at the University of Alabama to his final season in the Cubs organization, Lary’s career stretched across an era of big changes in American baseball.

His story gives us a peek into the challenges that players faced while trying to break into the majors during the 1950s and early 1960s. It also highlights the deep minor league system that kept so many dreams of big league success alive.

Early Life and Family Background

Alfred Allen Lary was born on September 26, 1928, in Northport, Alabama. He grew up in a family where baseball talent ran deep.

His younger brother, Frank Lary, would go on to become a prominent Detroit Tigers pitcher. That sibling connection shaped much of Al’s early athletic development.

Childhood and Education

Al Lary grew up in Northport, Alabama. That’s where he first started developing his athletic abilities.

He attended the University of Alabama and became a standout in both baseball and football. His college football career, honestly, was particularly impressive.

Lary played as a wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He set the school’s all-time single-season touchdown reception record with 10 touchdowns.

On the baseball field, Lary showed equal talent as a pitcher. He ranks fourth in the university’s history for fewest hits allowed, giving up only 13 hits while pitching over 40 innings in a season.

His performance in both sports earned him recognition on the University of Alabama’s all-century teams for both baseball and football. That’s a rare dual-sport achievement that highlighted his natural athletic ability.

Relationship with Frank Lary

Al Lary was the older brother of Frank Lary, who pitched for the Detroit Tigers. Frank became known as the “Yankee Killer” for his success against the New York Yankees during his major league career.

Both Lary brothers chased professional baseball careers. While Frank achieved more in the majors, Al’s path mostly took him through the minor league system.

Their shared baseball background made it clear the sport mattered a lot in the Lary family. Both brothers developed into skilled pitchers, though they ended up playing for different organizations.

Hometown of Northport, Alabama

Northport, Alabama, was where Al Lary’s athletic journey began. The small town gave him the space to learn baseball and football as a kid.

The community likely cheered him on as he moved on to the University of Alabama. Northport’s spot in Alabama put Lary in a region with a strong baseball tradition.

His Alabama roots stuck with him throughout his pro career. The state’s baseball culture helped shape both Al and Frank Lary into the pitchers they became.

Collegiate Career at the University of Alabama

Alfred Allen Lary excelled in both baseball and football at the University of Alabama. He set multiple records in both sports.

His dual-sport performance earned him recognition as one of just three players named to both the football and baseball All-Century Teams.

Baseball Achievements at Alabama

Lary made his mark as a pitcher for the Alabama baseball team in the early 1950s. In 1950, he posted a 4-1 record with an .800 winning percentage.

He kept it up in 1951, finishing with a 6-2 record and a .750 winning percentage. These steady results established him as one of Alabama’s top pitchers during his college years.

Lary’s pitching stood out for his ability to limit opposing hitters. He ranks fourth in Alabama history for fewest hits allowed in a season, giving up just 13 hits over at least 40 innings.

All-Century Team Honors

The University of Alabama recognized Lary’s contributions by naming him to their All-Century Teams. That honor puts him among the greatest athletes in Alabama’s history.

Only three players in Alabama history have been named to both the football and baseball All-Century Teams. That’s a rare accomplishment and says a lot about Lary’s athletic versatility.

The All-Century Team recognition came years after he graduated. His records and performances held up among Alabama’s best even decades later.

Football Career and Records

Lary played wide receiver for Alabama’s football team and set several offensive records that lasted for years. His biggest achievement was setting the single-season touchdown reception record with 10 touchdowns.

He also set the single-game record for touchdown receptions with three touchdowns in one game. Those numbers show his ability to show up during big moments.

In 1950, Lary earned First Team All-SEC honors, marking him as one of the best in the conference. He ranks fourth on Alabama’s career touchdown list with 14 total touchdowns.

His receiving skills showed up in his stats, too. He ranks third all-time at Alabama for average yards per reception in a season, with 19.6 yards per catch.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Al Lary’s Major League career ran from 1954 to 1962 with the Chicago Cubs. He appeared in 29 games over three seasons, filling roles as pitcher, pinch runner, and pinch hitter.

Debut with the Chicago Cubs

Al Lary made his Major League debut on September 6, 1954, at age 25. He started against the Cincinnati Redlegs at Wrigley Field and faced Art Fowler on the mound.

In his first MLB appearance, Lary pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs. The Cubs won 4-2, but Lary didn’t get a decision.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 185 pounds, Lary signed his first contract with the Cubs before the 1951 season after a standout college football career at Alabama.

He spent 1953 in military service before reaching the majors. His debut came after he worked his way up through the Cubs’ minor league system.

Role as Pitcher and Pinch Runner

Lary played in 29 games during his MLB career, handling multiple positions. He pitched in 16 games, ran as a pinch runner in 12, and had one pinch-hitting appearance.

His pitching stats included a 0-1 win-loss record with a 6.53 ERA. Over 40 innings, he struck out 22 and walked 22.

He started four games and finished four games as a pitcher. In those 16 games on the mound, he allowed 45 hits.

The Cubs used him briefly in 1955, putting him in four games as a pinch runner only. He didn’t return to the majors until 1962, a full seven years later.

Notable MLB Moments

Lary’s most memorable MLB moment came on April 28, 1962. He gave up Willie Mays’ 324th career home run—a grand slam at Candlestick Park against the San Francisco Giants.

That same game resulted in Lary’s only career decision, a loss. He started, lasted two innings, and gave up four hits and six earned runs in an 11-2 Cubs defeat.

His final MLB appearance was on September 15, 1962, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lary spent his entire 13-year pro baseball career in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Though he didn’t find much success in the majors, Lary played 12 seasons in the minors before retiring in 1964.

1962 Season and Retirement

Al Lary’s final season with the Chicago Cubs marked the end of his brief but noteworthy major league career. He pitched in 15 games and appeared in 23 total games during the 1962 regular season before hanging up his cleats.

Final Games and Statistics

Al Lary played in 23 games during his last season with the Cubs in 1962. He pitched in 15 of those games as a reliever.

His pitching numbers showed how tough that final year was. At home, Lary pitched 7 games with a 7.63 ERA over 15.1 innings, allowing 25 hits and 13 earned runs.

On the road, he pitched 8 games with a 6.92 ERA across 18.2 innings, giving up 17 hits and 14 earned runs.

1962 Season Pitching Stats:

• Games Pitched: 15
• Total Innings: 34.0
• ERA: 7.24
• Hits Allowed: 42
• Walks: 15
• Strikeouts: Data not available

Lary kept running as a pinch runner during the season. That versatility had been a big part of his time with the Cubs.

Memorable Performances

Lary’s 1962 season was more about perseverance than standout games. His high ERA showed the struggles that many aging pitchers deal with in their final seasons.

The Cubs used him mainly in relief. He threw three wild pitches that year, one at home and two on the road.

He stayed busy as a pinch runner, and the Cubs valued his speed and base-running even as his pitching faded.

Despite the tough stats, Lary finished out the season. He pitched throughout the year and avoided major injuries that could have ended things sooner.

Retirement Timeline

Al Lary retired at the end of the 1962 season. His last game closed out an eight-year major league career that started in 1954.

He likely decided to retire because his pitching just wasn’t what it used to be. His ERA had gone up a lot during his final year with the Cubs.

Lary finished his career with a record of 0 wins and 1 loss in 29 games. He tallied 22 strikeouts overall.

He joined the group of National League players who wrapped up their careers in 1962. The Cubs didn’t offer him a contract for 1963.

At age 34, Lary decided to step away from pro baseball. He spent his entire major league career with the Chicago Cubs.

Minor League Journey and Professional Development

Al Lary spent 12 seasons in the minor leagues from 1951 to 1964, finishing with a 103-100 record and a 3.76 ERA. His long minor league career included short stints with the Chicago Cubs in 1954 and 1962.

Minor League Teams and Experiences

Lary started his professional baseball career in 1951 after leaving Alabama. He stood 6’3″ and weighed 185 pounds, bringing strong credentials from college where he starred in both baseball and football.

His minor league journey stretched over a decade, with a few interruptions for his Major League appearances. The right-handed pitcher developed his skills across several organizations during that time.

Career Statistics:

• Wins: 103
• Losses: 100
• ERA: 3.76
• Seasons: 12 (1951-52, 1955-64)

Lary’s minor league numbers show he was a capable pitcher who could hold his own at the pro level. His almost even win-loss record and solid ERA point to consistency through his development years.

That long minor league stint says a lot about how competitive pro baseball was in the 1950s and early 1960s. A lot of talented players spent years in the minors, just hoping for a shot at the majors.

Transition to Major League Play

Lary got his first shot in the Majors with the Chicago Cubs back in 1954. He pitched in just one game during that first call-up, and honestly, he struggled a bit with control and couldn’t quite find his groove.

After that, the Cubs sent him back to the minors. He waited seven long years before he got another crack at the big leagues.

In 1962, the Cubs brought him back up for what turned out to be his last professional season.

Probably his most memorable moment in the Majors happened on April 28, 1962, at Candlestick Park. Lary gave up Willie Mays’ 324th career home run—a grand slam—while starting against the San Francisco Giants.

1962 Season Performance:

• Games: 15
• Innings: 2 (in final start)
• Hits allowed: 4
• Earned runs: 6
• Walks: 3
• Strikeouts: 1

The Cubs dropped that game 11-2. Not long after, Lary’s Major League journey came to an end.

He retired from professional baseball in 1964, wrapping up his last season in the minors.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After baseball, Alfred Allen Lary jumped into business ventures in Tuscaloosa County. He really got invested in coaching young athletes and stayed close to his Alabama roots, especially through church and local community work.

Induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Al Lary’s time at the University of Alabama landed him a spot on the school’s All-Century Teams for both baseball and football. That’s not something you see every day.

He set the university’s all-time single-season touchdown reception record with 10 catches. Not too shabby.

On the baseball side, Lary pitched for Alabama and helped lead the 1950 Crimson Tide to their first College World Series appearance in Omaha. He showed off some serious versatility, excelling in more than one sport while at college.

His brother Frank Lary also made it in pro baseball with the Detroit Tigers. The Lary family built a reputation as an Alabama sports dynasty, and Al’s impact on both college and pro sports really secured his place in the state’s sports history.

Impact on Baseball Community

After he retired from professional baseball in 1964, Lary moved back to Tuscaloosa County. He jumped right into coaching youth baseball, getting involved in the local scene.

He focused on character development just as much as teaching the basics of the game. Honestly, not every coach cares about both, but Lary really did.

Players and coaches around him respected his mentorship style. Jerry Belk, who played at Alabama in the 1950s, remembered Lary’s talent and how he inspired younger players.

Lary didn’t just stick to baseball, either. He served his community through Carroll’s Creek Baptist Church, all while keeping up with coaching.

He also served in Korea and earned a Bronze Star, which only boosted his reputation as a role model for young athletes.

Ray Glenn, a close friend, talked about how Lary made a difference as a sportsman and as a Christian leader in their community.