Dan Larson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dan Larson’s baseball career is one of those stories about potential that just didn’t quite get there. The right-handed pitcher from Los Angeles entered pro baseball with big hopes as a first-round draft pick in 1972. His major league journey turned out to be a mix of struggles and determination over seven seasons.

Dan Larson retired from Major League Baseball in 1982 after putting together a 10-25 record and a 4.40 ERA over parts of seven seasons with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. He started with a promising rookie season in 1976, posting a solid 3.02 ERA, but injuries and inconsistent outings kept tripping him up in the majors.

Even though Larson’s major league career ended in 1982, his story doesn’t just stop with the tough win-loss numbers. From his early days as a top prospect to his life after baseball, Larson’s journey shows how tough pro sports can be and how even short careers can leave a mark on the game and its fans.

Dan Larson’s Early Life and Amateur Career

Daniel James Larson was born on July 4, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. He honed his baseball skills at Alhambra High School, where his standout performances led to him being picked in the first round of the 1972 amateur draft.

His high school years, especially a game with a record-setting number of strikeouts, drew the attention of major league scouts. That game launched his professional journey.

Birth and Family Background

Dan Larson came into the world on July 4, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. His full name is Daniel James Larson.

He grew up in the Los Angeles area, surrounded by baseball. With both the Dodgers and Angels nearby, it was hard not to get swept up in the sport.

Larson’s family later moved to Alhambra, California, where he went to high school. This new home put him in a community with a strong baseball tradition.

As a kid, Larson showed talent as a pitcher early on. His dedication and natural ability started to shine during his high school years.

High School Baseball at Alhambra

Larson attended Alhambra High School in Alhambra, California. He pitched for the school’s baseball team and quickly became a standout.

During the 1971 season, Larson set an Alhambra High School record by striking out 18 batters in a single nine-inning game. That kind of performance is hard to ignore.

Scouts started following his progress closely after that game. His senior year was full of eyes watching for his next move.

Larson’s success at Alhambra made him one of California’s top pitching prospects. His strikeout numbers and steady play made him a hot draft pick.

Entry into Professional Baseball

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Larson in the first round of the 1972 amateur draft. He went as the 21st overall pick, which says a lot about how much scouts liked his potential.

Getting drafted in the first round was a big deal for the 18-year-old. The Cardinals hoped he’d become a key part of their future.

Larson never actually played in the majors for St. Louis, though. The team traded him to the Houston Astros in a deal that brought pitcher Claude Osteen to the Cardinals.

That trade kicked off Larson’s journey through the minors. He spent the next few years working on his game before finally reaching the big leagues in 1976.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Dan Larson pitched in the majors for seven seasons, from 1976 to 1982. He finished with a 10-25 record and a 4.40 ERA in 78 games.

He played for three National League teams. His best years came with the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season with Houston Astros

Larson made his big league debut on July 18, 1976, at age 22, with the Houston Astros. In his first game, he pitched a complete game against the Montreal Expos, giving up five hits and just one earned run, striking out nine for the win.

The 1976 season ended up as Larson’s best. He went 5-8 with a strong 3.02 ERA in 13 starts.

He tossed five complete games and logged 92.1 innings that year. Not bad for a rookie.

Larson finished his rookie season with 42 strikeouts and 28 walks. His 1.181 WHIP and 106 ERA+ showed he was above average that year.

Things got tougher in 1977. Larson went 1-7 with a 5.81 ERA in 32 appearances, splitting time between starting and relief. He picked up his only career save that season.

Philadelphia Phillies Years

Larson joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978 and stayed with them for four seasons. He didn’t get many chances and struggled to find consistency.

In 1978, he pitched just one inning in a single game, giving up one earned run. That left him with a 9.00 ERA for the season.

He got a bit more action in 1979, making three starts with a 4.26 ERA. Larson went 1-1 and struck out nine in 19 innings.

His busiest year with the Phillies came in 1980. He appeared in 12 games, starting seven, but finished 0-5 despite a solid 3.15 ERA.

Larson pitched 45.2 innings that year and struck out 17 batters. Not the results he wanted, but the ERA wasn’t bad.

In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Larson made five appearances, four of them starts. He went 3-0 with a 4.18 ERA in 28 innings, his only winning record after his rookie year.

Final Season and Retirement in 1982

Larson wrapped up his major league career in 1982 with the Chicago Cubs. That season didn’t go well—he finished 0-4 with a 5.67 ERA.

The Cubs used him in 12 games, including six starts. He pitched 39.2 innings, gave up 51 hits, and walked 18 batters.

His 1.739 WHIP showed he had trouble finding the strike zone. Larson made his last MLB appearance on June 1, 1982, against the San Diego Padres.

In that final outing, he threw three innings of one-hit shutout ball. That was it for his big league days.

He finished with a 10-25 record and a 4.40 ERA over 323.1 innings. Larson struck out 151 batters and walked 140 in his seven-year career.

Notable Achievements and Career Highlights

Dan Larson’s time in the majors, from 1976 to 1982, included some bright spots and recognition, especially in his minor league years and rookie season with the Astros.

Pitching Statistics and MLB Records

Larson put up a 10-25 record with a 4.40 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 80 major league games. His best year was 1976, when he went 5-8 with a 3.02 ERA in 13 starts for Houston.

He debuted in the MLB on July 18, 1976, at just 22 years old. Larson played for the Astros, Phillies, and Cubs.

Back in high school, Larson set the Alhambra High School record by striking out 18 batters in a nine-inning game in 1971. That game really put him on the map.

Top Performances with IL and AAA Teams

Larson’s minor league career lasted 12 seasons and he posted a strong 112-81 record. In 1975, he led the Southern League with a 2.18 ERA for the Columbus Astros.

Before his MLB debut in 1976, Larson went 7-4 in 17 starts for the AAA Memphis Blues. That got him his first shot in the majors.

In 1978, he went 14-6 for the Charleston Charlies before the Phillies traded for him. His steady success in the minors helped him stick around pro ball through 1984, finishing with the Oklahoma City 89ers.

Recognition in the Baseball Almanac

The Baseball Almanac lists Larson as a first-round draft pick, chosen 21st overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. That high draft spot showed just how much promise he had coming out of Whittier College.

His entry in the almanac notes his 13-year pro career and seven seasons in the majors. It also lists his July 4, 1954, birth date in Los Angeles and tracks his stats.

Larson’s place in baseball reference books keeps his journey alive—from top prospect to big league pitcher, his story is part of baseball history.

Teams and Leagues Played For

Dan Larson played for three MLB teams over seven seasons, from 1976 to 1982. Most of his time was with the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, and he finished up with the Chicago Cubs.

Houston Astros Journey

Larson joined the Houston Astros after a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals system. He made his MLB debut with Houston on July 18, 1976, at 22 years old.

His rookie year looked promising. Larson went 5-8 with a 3.02 ERA in 13 starts for the Astros.

Things got tougher in 1977. He pitched in 32 games, starting 10, but couldn’t find his rhythm. He finished 1-7 with a 5.81 ERA.

Larson bounced between the majors and minors with Houston. He played for the AAA Memphis Blues before his call-up in 1976.

Eventually, the Astros traded him to Philadelphia late in the 1978 season.

Stints with the Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies got Larson in a trade for Dan Warthen during the 1978 season. He made his Phillies debut that same year with a short appearance.

Larson pitched just one inning for Philadelphia in 1978, allowing one earned run.

From 1979 to 1981, he made sporadic appearances for the Phillies. Most of his time was spent at AAA, with only occasional trips to the big club.

After 1981, the Phillies traded Larson to the Chicago Cubs along with Keith Moreland and Dickie Noles for Mike Krukow.

Minor League Associations Including IL

Larson spent a lot of time in the minors during his career. He played for several teams in different leagues before retiring in 1984.

The Iowa Cubs were his last stop with an MLB affiliate. After his rough 1982 season in Chicago, going 0-4 with a 5.67 ERA, he finished out the year in Iowa.

Larson kept playing in the minors even after his MLB days ended. He wrapped up his pro career with the Oklahoma City 89ers in the Texas Rangers system in 1984.

His minor league career lasted 12 seasons. Larson put up a strong 112-81 record in the minors, showing he had more success there than in the big leagues.

Post-Retirement Life

After finishing his playing days in 1984 with the Oklahoma City 89ers, Dan Larson stepped away from professional baseball after a 13-year run. There’s not much public info about what he did after leaving the game.

Career After Baseball

Details about Larson’s life and work after baseball are mostly private. Unlike some ex-major leaguers who go into coaching, broadcasting, or front office jobs, Larson seems to have left the baseball world behind.

A lot of players from his era took different paths once their playing days ended. Some went back to their hometowns to start businesses or try new careers.

Since Larson grew up in Los Angeles and went to high school in Alhambra, he probably kept some ties to Southern California.

That switch from pro athlete to regular life isn’t easy for a lot of former players. After more than a decade in organized baseball—from being drafted by the Cardinals in 1972 to his last season in 1984—Larson likely faced the same challenge of figuring out what to do next.

Community Involvement and Personal Pursuits

You won’t find much about Dan Larson’s community involvement or what he does with his time these days. Public records just don’t have that kind of detail. Honestly, that’s not surprising.

A lot of former Major League players from the 1970s and 1980s stick around their hometowns, coaching youth baseball or getting into charity work. Some even start businesses. But in Larson’s case, there’s just no real evidence out there about what he’s been up to.

It seems like Larson prefers to keep things private and stay out of the spotlight. Who can blame him? Some athletes just want a clean break from their old careers.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Dan Larson’s career really fits the story of so many pitchers from the late 1970s and early 1980s. He left his mark in MLB records, which still helps people get a sense of how competitive baseball was back then.

Influence on Future Players

Larson’s path through pro baseball shows just how tough it is to move from amateur to professional. When the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the first round of the 1972 draft, people saw him as a big prospect.

Back in high school at Alhambra, he struck out 18 batters in a nine-inning game. That stat became a goal for younger players in the area. It’s wild to think about.

Larson bounced around with teams like the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. That kind of journey wasn’t unusual. Players often had to deal with trades and the pressure to perform.

He spent 13 years in pro baseball, with seven seasons in the majors. His minor league record, 112-81, really says a lot about sticking with it. Not everyone lasts that long in the game.

Mentions in Baseball Almanac and MLB History

Baseball Almanac and other historical records keep track of Larson’s stats and career details for future fans and researchers.

He made his debut on July 18, 1976, at just 22 years old, and you can find that in official MLB records.

Baseball researchers often look at his 10-25 major league record and other career stats as part of their work. You’ll see his numbers pop up in all sorts of reference books and databases.

His career earned run average and strikeout totals still sit in the records from the 1970s and 1980s. Baseball historians dig into this data to spot pitching trends and track how players developed back then.

Teams documented his trades, like the one that sent him to Philadelphia for Dan Warthen, and those details offer a window into team-building strategies from that era.

Analysts use these transaction records to figure out how clubs managed their rosters, and honestly, it’s kind of fascinating.