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

Larry Duane Harlow’s name doesn’t echo through baseball halls the way some of his peers’ do, but his six-season Major League career shows the journey of a hardworking outfielder who found his spot in pro baseball during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He was born in Colorado Springs in 1951. Harlow built up his skills through high school sports and junior college before signing with the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent in 1970.

Harlow retired from Major League Baseball after the 1981 season with the California Angels. He wrapped up a career that spanned from 1975 to 1981, playing 449 games for two organizations. His retirement closed out a run that took him from the Baltimore Orioles, where he spent most of his time, to the California Angels, where he delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in franchise playoff history.

Larry Harlow’s story goes beyond stats and basic career notes. It covers his personal background, a few dramatic achievements—including that playoff heroics—and even a short stint in Japanese baseball after MLB. His .248 career batting average, 12 home runs, and 72 RBIs only tell part of the story. Harlow made his mark in big moments, and his post-baseball life kept building on his athletic roots.

Retirement in 1981 and Legacy

Larry Harlow ended his Major League Baseball career with the California Angels on October 3, 1981, after six seasons in the majors.

His retirement closed his journey from the Baltimore Orioles to a brief but memorable postseason highlight with the Angels.

Circumstances of Retirement

Harlow retired at age 29 after the 1981 season wrapped up.

He spent his last two years with the California Angels after they traded for him from Baltimore in 1979.

Harlow’s career stats show a .248 batting average, 12 home runs, and 72 RBIs in 449 games. His top season came in 1978 with Baltimore, when he set career highs: 67 runs, 112 hits, and 14 stolen bases.

By 1981, Harlow saw his playing time drop off a cliff. The Angels started looking at younger guys for their outfield.

Instead of hanging on as a bench player, Harlow decided to leave MLB. He later played a season in Japan for the Yakult Swallows in 1982, batting .164 with 4 home runs.

Final MLB Game with California Angels

Harlow played his last big league game on October 3, 1981, facing the Texas Rangers.

He picked up one hit in three at-bats in his final MLB appearance.

That game marked the end of his American pro baseball journey. At 29, Harlow had spent six seasons in the majors, split between two American League teams.

His last year with the Angels didn’t offer much playing time. The team was turning the page, giving younger talent a shot.

The October 3rd game against Texas ended quietly for Harlow. No fanfare, no ceremonies—just a regular season game that happened to be his last.

Impact on Teams and Fans

Harlow delivered his biggest moment during the 1979 American League Championship Series. His walk-off double in Game 3 against his old Orioles teammates kept the Angels from getting swept.

That clutch hit drove in Brian Downing from second in the ninth, giving California a 4-3 win. It became the defining play of Harlow’s career and won over Angels fans.

Baltimore got a steady role player in Harlow for four seasons. He added depth to the outfield and chipped in during the Orioles’ competitive years in the late ’70s.

Angels fans still remember him for that playoff double. It brought hope and excitement during a crucial series against a tough Baltimore squad.

Harlow’s legacy stays modest but real. He was a journeyman who came up big when his team needed it most.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Larry Harlow spent six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1975 to 1981, playing outfield for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels.

His career included a memorable walk-off double in the 1979 ALCS and his best season in 1978, when he filled in at center field for Baltimore.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Larry Harlow made his MLB debut on September 20, 1975 with the Baltimore Orioles. He signed as an amateur free agent on August 24, 1970.

Harlow, a Colorado Springs native, worked his way through the Orioles’ minor leagues for five years to earn his first big league shot.

Early on with Baltimore, Harlow mostly played as a backup outfielder. He slowly got more chances as he sharpened his game at the major league level.

The left-handed hitter showed some promise as a speedy outfielder with decent contact skills. Those early years gave him experience that helped him later on.

Baltimore Orioles Tenure

Harlow’s best stretch came with the Orioles from 1975 to 1979. He broke out in 1978, stepping into center field after Al Bumbry got hurt.

That year was his peak. Harlow played in 147 games and put up 67 runs, 112 hits, and 14 steals. He hit .243 and became a dependable everyday player.

The 1978 season really showed what Harlow could do with regular playing time. His speed and defense made him a big asset in the Orioles’ outfield rotation.

Trade to California Angels

On June 3, 1979, the Orioles traded Harlow to the California Angels for Floyd Rayford and cash.

Baltimore had cut back on his playing time, and the Angels needed outfield help after Rick Miller got injured.

Harlow’s career highlight came in Game 3 of the 1979 ALCS against his old team. He ripped a walk-off double to left off Don Stanhouse, scoring Brian Downing and sealing a 4-3 win for the Angels.

He stuck with the Angels through the 1981 season. Harlow’s last MLB appearance came on October 3, 1981, finishing a career with 271 hits, 12 home runs, and 72 RBIs in 449 games, hitting .248 overall.

Career Achievements and Notable Moments

Larry Harlow’s MLB run had a few standout moments, like his breakout 1978 year in Baltimore and his part in the 1979 ALCS. His best statistical season came in 1980, when he hit .276 for the Angels.

Statistics Highlights

Harlow finished with a .248 batting average in 449 games from 1975 to 1981. He collected 271 hits, scored 159 runs, and drove in 72 RBIs.

He hit 12 home runs in his career—not a power guy, really. His real strength was defense in the outfield.

Career Stats:

• Batting Average: .248
• Games: 449
• Hits: 271
• Home Runs: 12
• RBIs: 72
• Runs: 159

Harlow’s steady defense in center field made him a useful role player for both the Orioles and Angels.

1978 Standout Season

Larry Harlow saw his most action in 1978, filling in for injured center fielder Al Bumbry with the Orioles.

He played 147 games, a career high, and hit .243.

That year, Harlow stepped up as a reliable everyday player. His defense in center helped keep the Orioles steady when Bumbry was out.

The 1978 season really proved Harlow could handle regular big league duty. He earned a reputation as a dependable backup outfielder.

1979 ALCS Walk-Off Double

After joining the Angels in 1979 in a trade for catcher Floyd Rayford, Harlow faced his old Orioles teammates in the ALCS.

He went 1 for 8 in the series.

The Angels lost the series to Baltimore. Still, facing his old team added a bit of drama to the playoffs.

That ALCS was the high point of Harlow’s career, giving him a taste of playoff baseball at the top level.

Player Profile and Personal Background

Larry Duane Harlow started his baseball journey in Colorado Springs, then moved through New Mexico’s high school sports scene.

His multi-sport background and time at Mesa Community College helped shape him before pro ball.

Early Life and Education

Larry Duane Harlow was born November 13, 1951, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

His family moved to Aztec, New Mexico when he was five, and he grew up there.

Harlow went to Aztec High School and showed athletic versatility in multiple sports. He played football and did track and field during the school year. Baseball was his summer sport, giving him a chance to focus on it outside of school.

After high school, Harlow attended Mesa Community College, where he kept developing as both a student and an athlete. The college setting let him work on his baseball skills while keeping up with academics.

Development as a Baseball Player

Harlow’s baseball growth picked up at Mesa Community College. Junior college ball was a key step for plenty of future pros.

His performance there caught the eye of Major League scouts.

The Baltimore Orioles saw his potential and signed him as an amateur free agent on August 24, 1970. That signing kicked off his pro baseball career.

The Orioles’ scouts liked what they saw in the young outfielder from New Mexico.

His multi-sport background in high school added to his overall athleticism. Speed and agility from track and field translated well to baseball. Football gave him toughness and a competitive edge that stuck with him throughout his career.

Statistics and Career Records

Larry Harlow put together a modest but respectable six-year MLB career, hitting .248 with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs in 448 games.

His top season was in 1980 with the California Angels, where he hit .276 and posted his best on-base percentage at .376.

MLB Regular Season Stats

Harlow’s regular season stats show a utility guy who gave steady, if unspectacular, production.

Over six seasons with the Orioles and Angels, he racked up 271 hits in 1,094 at-bats.

His best year was 1978 with Baltimore, playing 146 games and notching 112 hits. That was his one full-time season, since he usually filled a reserve role.

Key Numbers:

• Batting Average: .248
• Home Runs: 12
• RBIs: 72
• Runs: 159
• Stolen Bases: 26

Harlow showed some speed, stealing 26 bases, although he got caught 21 times. His 1980 season with the Angels saw him hit .276 with 83 hits in 109 games.

He improved his on-base skills as his career went on. Harlow drew 156 walks and struck out 205 times, showing decent plate discipline for a bench player.

Postseason Performances

Harlow’s postseason experience was pretty limited—just the 1979 ALCS with the Angels against the Orioles.

He played in three games that series.

At the plate, he struggled, getting only one hit in eight at-bats for a .125 average.

His only postseason hit was a double, so he finished with a .250 slugging percentage. The small sample size matched his backup role during the Angels’ playoff run.

The Angels lost the series to Baltimore, ending Harlow’s short playoff experience.

Pitching Appearance

Larry Harlow never pitched in the majors. He stuck to playing outfield and occasionally first base.

Over six seasons, he played defense all over the outfield and sometimes at first, but never took the mound.

For players like him, that was pretty normal—utility guys rarely pitched unless it was a real emergency.

International Experience in Japan

Larry Harlow didn’t play professional baseball in Japan or any other international leagues after his MLB career ended in 1981. He stuck to the American major and minor league systems for his entire professional baseball run.

After he retired from active play, Harlow didn’t go after opportunities in the Japanese leagues, even though those leagues were drawing more former MLB players during the 1980s.

He wrapped up his career entirely within American baseball, finishing with the California Angels in 1981.

Post-MLB Pursuits and Net Worth

When Larry Harlow left Major League Baseball in 1981, he looked into international baseball possibilities, then eased into a quieter life away from the spotlight.

He even spent some time in Japanese professional baseball before eventually settling into private life.

Playing in Japan

Harlow kept his baseball career going by playing in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Back then, a lot of American players took this route if they wanted to keep playing at a high level.

The Japanese league gave Harlow a chance to make some extra income and experience a new baseball culture. The league really valued experienced American players during that time.

Harlow’s stint in Japan helped him transition from his active playing days toward retirement. He got to keep competing, but also had to adapt to new styles and team dynamics.

Later Life and Activities

After his time in baseball, Harlow kept a much lower profile than many former players. He decided to step away from the baseball spotlight and focus on his own personal interests.

Unlike some retired players who jumped into coaching or broadcasting, Harlow didn’t go after those high-profile roles. That probably says a lot about how much he valued his privacy after years in the game.

Not much is known about what he’s done since, since Harlow has mostly kept his personal life out of the media. It’s a pretty different approach compared to other former players who stayed in the public eye through baseball-related gigs.

Estimated Net Worth and Recognition

Larry Harlow never shared his net worth, but I’d guess it probably lines up with the more modest salaries baseball players got in the 1970s and early ‘80s. He played for six seasons in the MLB, long before those huge contracts became the norm.

Back then, baseball salaries just didn’t compare to what guys make now. Players like Harlow usually took home way less, which definitely shaped their finances in the long run.

He hit .248 in his career, with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs across 449 games. That’s respectable—solid, really—but not superstar numbers, and that probably capped his earning power while he played.

Most people remember Harlow for his clutch 1979 ALCS walk-off double. That moment still stands out as the big highlight of his career.