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

Larry Cox spent nine seasons as a professional baseball catcher in Major League Baseball, hanging up his cleats in 1982. He grew up in Bluffton, Ohio, born in 1947, and really had to grind through the minor leagues after the Philadelphia Phillies signed him as an amateur free agent back in 1966.

Cox played for six different teams during his MLB career, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers. He put together a .221 batting average with 12 home runs and 85 RBIs across 382 games. His journey took him from a small Ohio town to the big leagues, where he became a steady backup catcher and a veteran presence in clubhouses all over the American and National Leagues.

After he wrapped up his playing days, Cox jumped into coaching and management with the Chicago Cubs organization. He even served as their bullpen coach during their 1989 NL East championship run.

Early Life and Background

Larry Eugene Cox was born September 11, 1947, in Bluffton, Ohio. He was the oldest of 12 kids.

His baseball skills started showing up early in high school, where he played as an all-state catcher and pitcher at Ottawa-Glandorf High School.

Birthplace and Childhood

Cox entered the world in Bluffton, Ohio, on September 11, 1947. He was the first child of Wilfred and Mona (Reeder) Cox.

Wilfred, his dad, was a World War II vet and worked at General Motors. Mona, his mom, stayed home to manage their big family.

Growing up with eleven siblings definitely shaped Cox’s character and gave him a competitive edge. The family’s humble background in Ohio influenced his work ethic and determination on the baseball field.

Education and High School Baseball

Cox went to Ottawa-Glandorf High School, playing baseball through 1965. He stood out as both a catcher and a pitcher.

His high school stats were impressive—a .340 batting average and two no-hitters as a pitcher. He picked up seven wins on the mound his senior year.

According to his 1981 Topps baseball card, he once hit two grand slams and drove in 12 runs in a single high school game. That’s the kind of hitting that gets noticed.

In the summer of 1964, Cox played for Ottawa American Legion Post 63. That team made history as the first from their post to win a district tournament and reach the state tournament.

During the state tournament, Cox smashed two home runs in an 18-7 win over Ravenna in the opening game. His play earned him a spot on the all-tournament first team, as picked by National Association of Baseball Scouts representatives.

Early Influences and Inspiration

Cox’s baseball path started with legion and high school games, where his skill behind the plate stood out. Scouts quickly noticed his strong throwing arm.

The Philadelphia Phillies saw his potential and signed him as an undrafted free agent on February 8, 1966. This shot came straight from his standout high school and legion performances.

His all-state honors as a catcher made him a strong candidate for the pros. That mix of offense and defense made him an appealing pick for big league teams.

Cox’s tournament success, especially in the state American Legion tournament, showed he could handle pressure. Those experiences paid off as he moved into professional baseball.

Professional Career Overview

Larry Eugene Cox played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1982, working as a catcher for six teams. He started with the Philadelphia Phillies and finished with the Chicago Cubs.

Major League Debut

Cox debuted on April 18, 1973, with the Philadelphia Phillies against the Montreal Expos. He was 25 years old at the time.

He made it to the big leagues after seven full seasons in the minor leagues with the Phillies’ farm system. The Phillies signed him as an amateur free agent in 1966, right after he finished at Ottawa-Glandorf High School.

His first year in the majors was brief—just one game before heading back to the minors. Cox kept bouncing between the bigs and minors during the 1974 and 1975 seasons with Philadelphia.

He stood 5 feet 11 inches and weighed 190 pounds during his playing days. He threw and batted right-handed.

Final Season and Retirement

Cox’s final MLB appearance came on May 23, 1982, with the Chicago Cubs against the San Francisco Giants. He retired at age 34.

He spent most of 1982 coaching in the minors, not playing. That short return to the Cubs in May 1982 closed out his career on the field.

Once he retired, Cox stayed with the Cubs organization, managing and coaching in the minors from 1983 to 1987.

In 1988, Don Zimmer brought him onto the Cubs’ coaching staff as bullpen coach. He kept that job through the 1989 season, when the Cubs captured the NL East.

Notable Career Moments

Cox’s career had its fair share of trades and team changes. On October 24, 1975, the Phillies traded him to the Minnesota Twins for Sergio Ferrer.

The biggest move came on December 18, 1980, when Cox joined an 11-player blockbuster trade. He went with Willie Horton, Rick Honeycutt, Leon Roberts, and Mario Mendoza from the Mariners to the Texas Rangers.

Career Statistics:

• Games played: 382
• Batting average: .221
• Home runs: 12
• RBIs: 85
• Hits: 182 (in 825 at-bats)

Cox wore the uniforms of six teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1973-1975), Seattle Mariners (1977, 1979-1980), Chicago Cubs (1978, 1982), and Texas Rangers (1981). He had his best years with the Mariners, where he got more playing time.

He built a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher, bringing experience and steadiness to several teams during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Teams Played For

Larry Cox suited up for four MLB teams over nine seasons from 1973 to 1982. He spent most of his time with the Phillies and Mariners, while also seeing action with the Cubs and Texas Rangers.

Philadelphia Phillies

Cox started his big league career with the Phillies, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 1966. He spent seven years in their minor league system before debuting on April 18, 1973, against the Montreal Expos.

He bounced between the majors and minors during his time in Philadelphia. In 1973, he played just one MLB game before heading back to the minors.

In 1974 and 1975, Cox split time between the Phillies and their farm teams. That was pretty typical for backup catchers trying to make a mark.

The Phillies traded him to the Twins on October 24, 1975, sending him off after three years with the club that first took a chance on him.

Seattle Mariners

Cox played for the Seattle Mariners twice, making them his most frequent team. The Mariners picked up his contract after he spent all of 1976 in Triple-A with the Twins.

His first Mariners stint came in 1977, his first full season in the big leagues. That year marked his breakthrough, finally sticking as an MLB regular.

He returned to Seattle for 1979 and 1980, working as a backup catcher and getting more steady playing time.

The Mariners included him in a huge 11-player trade with the Rangers on December 18, 1980. Cox went to Texas with Willie Horton, Rick Honeycutt, Leon Roberts, and Mario Mendoza.

Chicago Cubs

Cox joined the Cubs twice during his career. The first time was in 1978, between his Mariners stints.

After his playing days, Cox stayed with the Cubs in different coaching jobs. He managed in the minors from 1983 to 1987.

In 1988, Don Zimmer added him to the bullpen coach role, which he kept through the 1989 NL East championship season.

He had a short return as a player in May 1982, making his last MLB appearance against the Giants. For most of that year, he worked as a minor league coach.

Texas Rangers

Cox’s time with the Texas Rangers was short but memorable, as he was part of one of baseball’s biggest trades. He landed in Texas in 1981 via the 11-player deal with Seattle.

The Rangers picked up Cox and four others in exchange for Richie Zisk, Jerry Don Gleaton, Rick Auerbach, Ken Clay, Brian Allard, and minor leaguer Steve Finch. The Rangers weren’t shy about shaking things up.

Cox played as a backup catcher during his lone year in Texas. The 1981 season got cut short by a players’ strike, so he didn’t have much chance to make a big impact.

That season in Texas ended up being his last full campaign as a player before he returned to the Cubs in 1982.

Career Statistics and Performance

Larry Cox put up steady, if unspectacular, numbers over his nine MLB seasons from 1973 to 1982. He finished with a .221 batting average, 12 home runs, and 85 RBIs in 348 games, which was pretty standard for a defense-first catcher back then.

Batting Average and On-Base Metrics

Cox kept a .221 batting average in the majors. That was below average for most players, but not unusual for catchers focused on defense.

He was consistent with the bat across different teams. Cox collected 182 hits and scored 72 runs in his career.

His on-base skills were limited by his contact rate, and being a backup meant fewer at-bats and less chance to get in a groove at the plate.

Home Runs and RBIs

Cox didn’t hit for much power. He finished with 12 home runs over nine seasons, so just a little over one per year.

He drove in 85 RBIs, mainly through situational hitting rather than big extra-base hits. Limited playing time and batting lower in the order kept his RBI totals down.

His best offensive years came with Seattle and Philadelphia. But really, his numbers fit the mold of a defense-first catcher of his era.

OPS and Advanced Analytics

Complete OPS data for Cox isn’t easy to find in old records, but his stats suggest a below-average slugging percentage. A .221 average and low power meant his OPS wasn’t anything special.

Cox brought most of his value with his defensive contributions. He knew how to handle pitching staffs and control the running game, which mattered a lot to teams.

Back then, teams didn’t use a lot of advanced analytics, so Cox’s defensive skills were his main calling card.

Personal Life and Legacy

Larry Eugene Cox stayed involved in baseball after he stopped playing, working as a coach and mentor. His sudden death at age 42 cut short a promising coaching career with the Chicago Cubs.

Life After Retirement

Cox stayed deeply connected to baseball after he retired as a player in 1982. He jumped into coaching and management roles with the Cubs organization.

From 1983 to 1987, Cox managed minor league teams for the Cubs. He got to share his baseball knowledge with younger players moving up through the system.

In 1988, Cox joined Don Zimmer’s coaching staff as the bullpen coach for the Chicago Cubs. He stayed in that position through the 1989 season, when the Cubs grabbed the NL East championship.

Cox used his experience as a catcher to help develop pitchers and shape bullpen strategy. The Cubs clearly valued his insight.

Sadly, Cox died on February 17, 1990, while playing racquetball in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He had a heart attack during the game and passed away at just 42.

Honors and Recognition

People in baseball mostly remember Cox for what he did as both a player and a coach. He played nine seasons, and that took real dedication.

His work with the 1989 Cubs team, who won the NL East, stands out in his coaching career. Cox guided the bullpen during that successful season.

The baseball community saw how much Cox cared about the game because he stayed involved after his playing days. He moved from player to coach, which really showed how much he understood baseball.

Cox didn’t rack up huge personal stats, but he played the role of a journeyman—someone who helped out multiple teams across his time in Major League Baseball.

Impact on Baseball

Larry Cox made his mark on baseball with his steady presence behind the plate for several teams. He also helped develop young catchers during his years as a player.

His defensive skills and veteran leadership gave stability to catching rotations in both the American and National Leagues.

Contribution to Teams

Cox worked as a reliable backup catcher for seven different MLB teams over nine seasons. Scouts often praised his throwing arm, even comparing it to Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.

The Philadelphia Phillies trusted Cox’s game-calling so much that they made him Steve Carlton’s personal catcher late in 1974. Handling an ace like Carlton? That speaks volumes about Cox’s skill and understanding of the game.

Key Defensive Statistics:

• 1977 Seattle Mariners: 42% caught stealing rate, which led all team catchers
• 1979 Seattle Mariners: Started on Opening Day, the first of his career

Cox’s durability really helped teams that carried smaller catching staffs. In 1980, he played in 105 games for Seattle, offering steady defense all season.

His teammates noticed the little things he did. The 1974 Phillies even voted Cox a full playoff share, despite his limited time on the field, just out of respect for his work ethic and presence in the clubhouse.

Influence on Future Players

Cox’s career path really highlighted how much teams value defensive specialists when building a roster. Even though he finished with just a .221 career batting average, he managed to stick around for nine seasons, which says a lot about the importance of strong defensive catchers.

Young catchers might pick up a thing or two from how Cox prepared for games and built relationships with pitchers. His work with Carlton, in particular, showed that backup catchers can carve out a niche if they put in the study time and communicate well.

Back in 1969, Cox told management he wanted to switch back from pitching to catching. That move, along with his letter to the Phillies asking to stay behind the plate, really extended his career—sometimes you’ve just got to speak up for yourself.

He bounced around a few different organizations, which gave him a wide view of coaching styles and team cultures. Later on, that experience definitely came in handy when he moved into coaching himself.