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

Frank Lary walked off the baseball field for the last time in 1965, wrapping up a 12-year Major League career that made him one of the most feared pitchers in the American League. This Alabama native carved out a unique place in baseball history—not just for his stats, but for his uncanny knack for dominating one particular team, which earned him a legendary nickname.

Lary finished with a 128-116 record and a 3.49 ERA, but his real claim to fame was his wild 28-13 lifetime record against the New York Yankees, which got him the moniker “The Yankee Killer.” In an era when the Yankees ruled baseball, Lary stood out as one of the few pitchers who could consistently solve their powerful lineup. Fans knew any game he pitched against the Bronx Bombers was must-see.

He started out on a cotton farm in Northport, Alabama, and ended up finishing his career with the Chicago White Sox. Lary’s journey through pro baseball tells a story of determination, skill, and the pressure that comes with facing baseball’s most successful franchise.

His story covers everything from his early days in Alabama’s baseball program to his peak years with the Detroit Tigers. You get a glimpse of both his character and the game during one of its most competitive stretches.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Frank Lary’s journey from an Alabama cotton farm to Major League Baseball started in a household obsessed with the sport. He developed his skills at the University of Alabama and in the minors, and those experiences shaped him into the pitcher who would later dominate big league hitters.

Family Background and Childhood in Northport

Frank Strong Lary was born April 10, 1930, in Northport, Alabama, to Joseph M. and Margaret Lary. He grew up as the sixth of seven sons on a 520-acre cotton farm about five miles west of Northport.

His dad, Joseph—everyone called him “Mitt”—had been a semipro pitcher with a famous spitball. Mitt missed his shot at pro baseball because of World War I, but he poured his passion into coaching his sons.

The Lary Baseball Dynasty:

• Five sons lettered in baseball at the University of Alabama
• Al Lary pitched for the Cubs in 1954, 1955, and 1962
• Ed signed with Nashville but never played professionally
• Gene reached Triple-A ball as a pitcher

Mitt even built a pitching mound in the front yard after hearing about Bob Feller’s dad doing the same. “That’s where they all learned to play ball, out there in the front yard,” Mitt told sportswriter Furman Bisher in 1961. “I’d sit on the porch here and tell them what they were doing wrong.”

Frank was the “runt” of the Lary clan, at least at first, but he eventually grew to 5’11”, 185 pounds. His family gave him a strong work ethic and a stubborn determination that stuck with him throughout his career.

High School and College Baseball at University of Alabama

Frank went to Tuscaloosa County High School, where he played both baseball and football. In his senior year in 1948, he put up an 8-1 record as a pitcher.

He wasn’t just a baseball guy. His high school coach remembered him averaging 49 yards on 11 punts during a rainstorm, and said he could run the hundred-yard dash in 10.2 seconds.

At the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Frank focused on sharpening his baseball skills. His sophomore year was his best in college ball.

1950 Season Highlights:

• Led Alabama to a 20-10 record
• Put up a combined 10-4 record in regular season and playoffs
• Took the team to the College World Series
• Helped Alabama win the Southeastern Conference championship

In the College World Series, Lary pitched Alabama to a 9-2 win over Bradley. But the team lost to Washington State and Wisconsin, with Frank dropping a 3-1 decision to Wisconsin on just two days’ rest.

Minor League Career and Military Service

After Alabama’s exit from the College World Series in late June 1950, Detroit scout Bill Pierre met Lary at a Birmingham restaurant. Pierre talked Frank into signing with the Tigers for the major league minimum, though rumors swirled about extra payments totaling $12,000 to $15,000.

Frank started his pro career in July 1950 with Thomasville in the Class D Georgia-Florida League. He started four games in twelve days and won all four. Then he moved to Jamestown, New York, and posted a 5-2 record with a 1.88 ERA.

The Korean War interrupted his baseball career when the Army drafted him after the 1950 season. He got stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and spent two years in the service—never went overseas. During that time, he married his longtime sweetheart, Emma Lou Barton, on July 21, 1951.

When he returned to baseball in 1953, Lary reported to Detroit’s new training facility in Lakeland, Florida. He joined Buffalo of the International League, where he put up a 17-11 record with a 4.00 ERA.

His best moment that season came on September 9, when he threw a no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader against Ottawa, winning 5-0.

Major League Career Overview

Frank Lary pitched for 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1965, spending nearly all of it with the Detroit Tigers. He hit his stride in the late 1950s and early 1960s, leading the American League in wins twice and earning a reputation as one of the era’s most reliable starters.

Debut with Detroit Tigers

Lary made his major league debut on September 14, 1954, against the New York Yankees at age 24. He pitched one inning, gave up two hits and a walk, but didn’t strike anyone out.

He’d spent the previous two seasons in the Tigers’ minor league system after his Army service. His strong showing with the Buffalo Bisons in 1954—15-11 record, 10 wins in his last 12 games—got him a late-season call-up to Detroit.

Lary quickly earned a spot in the Tigers’ rotation the next year. In 1955, he went 14-15 in 36 games as a starter, officially passing rookie limits that season.

Breakout Years and Role in the Rotation

Lary really broke through in 1956, becoming the Tigers’ first 20-game winner since Hal Newhouser in 1948. He finished with a 21-13 record and led the American League in several categories.

He led the league in wins (21), games started (38), and innings pitched (294). Lary faced 1,269 batters that year, more than any other AL pitcher in the 1950s.

His best year came in 1961, when he posted a 23-9 record for a Tigers team that won 101 games. He was second in the league in wins behind Whitey Ford and led the league with 22 complete games.

From 1955 to 1961, Lary was a workhorse, starting more than 30 games each season. He earned All-Star selections in 1960 and 1961 and won the Gold Glove Award in 1961.

Teams Played For: Tigers, Braves, Mets, White Sox

Lary spent most of his career with the Detroit Tigers from 1954 to 1964, winning 123 games for the franchise. That puts him tenth in Tigers history.

Shoulder problems started to slow him down in 1962, leading to a 2-6 start and a stint on the disabled list. In 1963, he struggled with a 4-9 record, and the Tigers sold him to the New York Mets in May 1964.

His time with the Mets was short but eventful. He went 2-3 before being traded to the Milwaukee Braves in August 1964 for Dennis Ribant and $25,000.

The Mets brought Lary back in March 1965, where he went 1-3 before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in July. He wrapped up his career with the White Sox, posting a 1-0 record in 14 appearances before retiring after the 1965 season.

Signature Achievements and Career Highlights

Frank Lary made his name as one of the American League’s most reliable pitchers during his prime years in the mid-1950s through the early 1960s. He picked up multiple All-Star selections and a Gold Glove Award, and his competitive streak made him especially tough against top teams.

All-Star Selections and Gold Glove Award

Lary’s best years brought him plenty of recognition from his peers and the baseball world. He got All-Star nods in 1960 and 1961, representing the American League in back-to-back seasons when he was at his best.

The 1961 season was especially sweet—he won the AL Gold Glove Award that year, showing he could do more than just throw heat.

His All-Star appearances lined up with his most productive seasons. During those years, Lary churned out 200-plus innings and kept up strong win totals and complete games.

Pitching Style and Competitive Edge

Lary’s durability became his calling card. He led the American League in innings pitched three times (1956, 1958, and 1960), showing just how much he could handle.

He finished what he started, too. Lary topped the AL in complete games three times (1958, 1960, and 1961), which says a lot about his stamina and how effective he was late in games.

He put together five seasons with 15 or more wins between 1956 and 1961. His 20-win seasons came in 1956 and 1961, with that 1956 campaign earning him the league wins leader title.

Dominance in the American League

Lary’s most famous feat? His amazing record against the New York Yankees. People called him “The Yankee Killer“ for good reason—he beat the Yankees 27 times out of 37 meetings, which is just wild considering New York’s championship run.

His overall AL stats showed steady excellence. Lary ended up with 128 wins, 116 losses, and a 3.49 ERA over 12 seasons.

He had seven seasons of 200-plus innings (1955-1961), proving he was a workhorse. Lary anchored a strong Tigers rotation along with Paul Foytack, Billy Hoeft, and Jim Bunning in the late 1950s.

“Yankee Killer” Legacy

Frank Lary picked up his most famous nickname by dominating the New York Yankees during their most powerful years. His 28-13 career record against New York from 1955 to 1964 came while the Yankees won nine pennants in ten seasons. That makes his success even more impressive.

Record Against the New York Yankees

Frank Lary racked up a 28-13 lifetime record against the Yankees, making him one of the rare pitchers who could consistently handle baseball’s most successful franchise. From 1957 to 1959, he went on a tear, posting a 13-1 record against the Bronx Bombers.

The 1958 season really stood out. Lary beat the Yankees seven times that year, becoming the first pitcher to do that since 1916. That cemented his “Yankee Killer” rep all over baseball.

Lary’s success against New York was even more impressive considering the Yankees’ offensive firepower at the time. They had legendary hitters like Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra, plus Whitey Ford and a championship-caliber supporting cast.

He kept Yankee hitters off balance with a mix of pitches. Lary relied on a nasty slider, a curveball, a sinker, and a fastball—he always seemed to have something up his sleeve.

Impact on Tigers’ Rivalry With Yankees

Frank Lary’s dominance over the Yankees really boosted the Detroit Tigers’ competitive standing during those years when New York seemed unstoppable. He just kept beating the Yankees, and that gave Detroit some hope in what felt like an impossible fight against baseball’s top franchise.

The 1961 season put Lary’s impact on the Tigers-Yankees rivalry on full display. Lary went 23-9 with a 3.24 ERA, and Detroit pushed New York for the American League pennant all the way into September. The Tigers had a strong pitching staff, and Lary’s knack for beating the Yankees kept them in the race with New York until the last weeks.

Lary also had a psychological edge over the Yankees. When he took the mound for Detroit, the Yankees couldn’t just assume an easy win. That kind of consistency really messed with New York’s momentum in those crucial series.

Famous Games and Moments as Yankee Killer

People still talk about Lary’s best run as the “Yankee Killer” in 1958, when he shut down New York’s lineup seven times. Each win added to his legend and drove Yankees management a little crazy.

His last great moment against the Yankees happened on April 13, 1962, during Detroit’s home opener. Even though the weather was miserable—30 degrees, rain, even some snow—Lary picked up another win over New York, 5-3. He even chipped in at the plate, hitting a triple in the seventh to drive in the tying run.

That game turned out to be bittersweet. While he was celebrating another victory over the Yankees, Lary pulled a leg muscle running out that triple. The injury forced him to change his pitching motion, which led to arm problems and, eventually, the end of his dominance over New York.

Baseball fans couldn’t help but notice the irony. Lary’s success against the Yankees made him famous, but his final win over them ended up signaling the start of his decline.

Final Seasons and Retirement in 1965

Frank Lary wrapped up his baseball career in 1965 after a tough stretch filled with trades and nagging shoulder trouble. The Alabama native bounced around with the Mets, Braves, and White Sox before finally calling it quits.

Trade and Brief Stints With Mets, Braves, White Sox

In May 1964, the New York Mets picked up Lary from the Detroit Tigers, ending his ten-year run with Detroit. He didn’t stay long with the Mets, but he did manage a 2-3 record and even threw a two-hit shutout in his final game of the 1964 season.

The Mets then traded Lary to the Milwaukee Braves in August 1964 for Dennis Ribant and $25,000. His time with the Braves was even shorter than his Mets stint.

The Mets brought Lary back in March 1965. This second go-round didn’t go well, as he struggled to a 1-3 record before they shipped him off to the Chicago White Sox in July 1965 for a player to be named later.

Lary made his final MLB appearance on September 21, 1965, pitching for the White Sox against his old team, the Tigers. He tossed two innings, gave up two hits and one earned run, and struck out two.

Injury Challenges and Decline

Lary started declining in 1962 when his shoulder finally gave out after years of heavy work. From 1955 to 1961, he led the American League in complete games three times and threw over 270 innings almost every year.

The shoulder problems really hurt his performance. He opened 1962 with a 2-6 record and managed just two complete games in 13 starts. The Tigers put him on the disabled list in August 1962.

Things didn’t get better in 1963. He started that year in the minors, and after coming back to the Tigers, he finished with a rough 4-9 record. Over his last three seasons with Detroit, he went a combined 6-17—a far cry from his earlier days.

The guy who threw 22 complete games in 1961 just couldn’t keep it going with that bad shoulder.

Decision to Retire from Professional Baseball

Lary pitched in only 14 games for the White Sox in 1965 and finished with a 1-0 record. At 35, he decided it was time to hang it up after the 1965 season.

His career stats: 128 wins, 116 losses, a .525 winning percentage, and a 3.49 ERA over 350 games. He notched 21 shutouts and 1,099 strikeouts in 2,162.1 innings during his 12 seasons.

After baseball, Lary went back to Alabama and started a construction business. Later, he worked for a road paving company in Northport. The old “Yankee Killer” stayed in Alabama until he passed away in 2017 at age 87.

His retirement closed the book on a career that included three All-Star nods, a Gold Glove, and the honor of leading the American League in wins in 1956.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Remembrance

Frank Lary built a lasting legacy both on and off the field. His story goes way beyond just what he did in a Tigers uniform. His final resting place in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park really shows his deep Alabama roots and the connection he kept with home.

Post-Baseball Life and Contributions

After he retired in 1965, Frank Lary headed back to Alabama. He stayed involved in baseball, but mostly built a quieter life away from the spotlight.

Lary married Emma Lou Barton on July 21, 1951, while he was serving in the military. They had three kids together: Frank Jr., Donita, and Cindy Beth.

He kept in touch with his alma mater and the local baseball scene. His experience as a major leaguer made him a respected figure in Alabama baseball.

Lary spent his post-baseball years around Tuscaloosa. He stayed close to the University of Alabama, where he first developed his pitching.

His retirement was pretty quiet, which matched his humble personality. Even though he was the famous “Yankee Killer,” Lary didn’t seek the spotlight after his playing days.

Honors and Recognitions

Frank Lary picked up some big honors during his career. He made the All-Star team three times, playing in the 1960 and 1961 games.

He also won a Gold Glove in 1961, which showed off his defensive skills—not just his pitching.

The nickname “Yankee Killer” stuck for good reason. He finished with a 28-13 lifetime record against the Yankees, which is just wild.

The Detroit Tigers always remembered what he did for them. He spent 11 of his 12 big league seasons in Detroit and became one of the faces of the team in the ’50s and early ’60s.

His 128-116 record with a 3.49 ERA stands as a solid body of work for his era. Those peak years from 1955 through 1961 made him one of the American League’s most reliable starters.

Passing and Burial in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park

Frank Lary died on December 13, 2017, at age 87. He passed away in his hometown of Northport, Alabama, where he was born on April 10, 1930.

The Detroit Tigers put out a statement when he died. “The Detroit Tigers are saddened to learn of the passing of Frank Lary,” they said, recognizing what he meant to the team.

Lary was buried in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. That spot reflected his lifelong ties to the area, where he went to high school and college.

His funeral brought together family, friends, and baseball fans to pay their respects. People in Tuscaloosa remembered him as both a successful athlete and a down-to-earth local.

The memorial honored his legacy as one of Alabama’s most successful big league pitchers. His final resting place in Tuscaloosa stands as a lasting tribute to his baseball career and Alabama roots.

Statistical Overview and Career Records

Frank Lary finished with 128 wins and 116 losses over his 12-season Major League career from 1954 to 1965. Pitching mostly for the Detroit Tigers, he struck out 1,099 batters with a 3.49 ERA in 362 games, earning a reputation as a tough and effective pitcher in the American League during the ’50s and early ’60s.

Pitching Records and Milestones

Lary hit his stride with the Tigers during his prime. In 1956, he won 21 games, lost 13, and led the American League in starts (38) and innings pitched (294.0).

The 1958 season was probably his best. He posted a 2.90 ERA, won 16 games, and threw 19 complete games—the most he’d ever have in a season. That year, he finished 23rd in MVP voting and ranked among the league’s best pitchers.

1961 was his top year, no question. Lary went 23-9 for a .719 winning percentage. He completed 22 games, tossed 4 shutouts, and kept a 3.24 ERA across 275.1 innings.

His career totals show 2,162.1 innings pitched and 128 complete games. Lary faced 9,107 batters in the majors, which says a lot about his durability.

Notable Batting and Fielding Statistics

Lary wasn’t just a pitcher—he could field his position, too. He won the Gold Glove Award in 1961, which recognized his defensive skills as a pitcher.

His fielding stats back that up. In his Gold Glove season, he handled 265 total chances without an error, showing he was reliable on defense.

At the plate, Lary’s numbers were pretty typical for a pitcher in that era. He focused on pitching but could handle the bat when needed, back before the designated hitter rule.

That Gold Glove really highlighted how complete his approach was. Lary’s ability to field his position made him even more valuable beyond just his pitching stats.

Standings Among Pitchers of His Era

Lary grabbed All-Star selections in 1960 and 1961, which really put him among the best pitchers in the American League during those peak years.

He finished 3rd in Cy Young Award voting in 1961, showing just how highly people regarded him at the time.

Over his 12-year career, Lary put together a career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 28.2. That’s solid production, no doubt.

His best season for WAR came in 1958, when he hit 6.7 and brought exceptional value to the Detroit Tigers.

Back in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Lary kept showing up among American League leaders in the big pitching categories. He pitched with durability and effectiveness, and Detroit counted on him as a reliable starter during some pretty competitive years.

Lary posted a 3.64 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) for his career. That stat really highlights his fundamental pitching skills.

It shows how well he controlled outcomes through strikeouts, walks, and limiting home runs, all without relying much on his defense.