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

When Larry Jackson hung up his cleats after the 1968 season, baseball lost one of its most reliable and, honestly, kind of underappreciated pitchers. The right-hander from Idaho spent 14 seasons in the major leagues, putting up a 194-183 record with a 3.40 ERA across 558 games.

Jackson retired after the Montreal Expos picked him in the 1968 expansion draft. Instead of joining the new franchise, he asked the league office for retirement forms and called it a career.

At age 37, Jackson decided to step away from baseball, capping off a run that included 24 wins in 1964 for a Chicago Cubs team that finished eighth. He made five All-Star teams and finished second in Cy Young voting that same year.

He mostly played for teams that struggled, but Jackson never shied away from the mound. Fans and teammates could always count on him to take the ball every fifth day, no matter how things looked.

From his early days as a multi-sport athlete in Boise to his last pitch with the Philadelphia Phillies, Jackson’s path through professional baseball is pretty fascinating. He came close to 200 career wins and faced all the challenges that come with playing for teams that, well, weren’t exactly winning powerhouses.

His journey shows the importance of mental toughness and the tough choices that come at the end of a long career. Not everyone gets a storybook ending, right?

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Lawrence Curtis Jackson was born in Nampa, Idaho, on June 2, 1931, before his family moved to Boise when he was six. There, he developed into a three-sport star.

During his high school years, Jackson’s athletic talents really stood out. He even made a name for himself as a football player at Boise Junior College while working on his baseball skills.

Family Background in Idaho

Jackson was born on June 2, 1931, in Nampa, Idaho, right in the Snake River Valley. He was the oldest of three sons born to Aldythe Lanore Curtis and Lawrence Leopold Jackson—who also went by Larry.

His dad worked as a supervisor for the Greyhound bus line. The family stayed in Nampa during Larry’s early childhood.

When Larry turned six, the Jacksons moved about 20 miles east to Boise, Idaho’s capital. That move turned out to be important for Larry’s athletic development.

They settled in Boise, where Larry spent the rest of his childhood and teenage years. His two younger brothers grew up there too, and Jerry would even play football with Larry at Boise Junior College.

Boise High School Achievements

At Boise High School, Larry Jackson became a three-sport standout, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. His versatility made him one of the school’s top athletes.

On the baseball field, Jackson started out at shortstop and third base. He didn’t pitch until his senior year because his coach worried about his wildness and thought he might hurt someone.

Even though he started pitching late, Jackson’s arm strength was obvious. The coach’s hesitation to put him on the mound was understandable given his control issues.

After high school, Jackson played summer baseball with the semipro Prospectors in Weiser, Idaho. That team had some history—Walter Johnson had been discovered there years before.

With Jackson on the roster, the Prospectors made two trips to the National Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita, Kansas. Those tournaments gave him a taste of tougher competition.

Boise Junior College and Football Career

Jackson entered Boise Junior College in 1949 and joined the football team as a 175-pound backup tailback. The Broncos were riding a three-year unbeaten streak when he arrived.

His first year, Jackson mostly watched from the bench as the team kept winning. In 1950, though, he became the starting tailback in the single-wing offense.

As starting tailback, Jackson basically played quarterback. He was a better passer than runner, and one of his touchdown passes went to his brother Jerry.

He served as team captain, handled punting, and played both ways as a defensive back. The Broncos finished the 1950 regular season with a 40-game winning streak going back to 1946.

That streak finally ended when Boise Junior College lost to Long Beach in the Little Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Sportswriters blamed the loss on the Idaho team wearing down in the 82-degree heat.

During the 1951 spring baseball season, Jackson took over on the mound. He started and won both games of a doubleheader against Eastern Oregon College of Education, striking out 11 in the first game and throwing a no-hitter with eight strikeouts in the second.

Jackson finished the 1951 baseball season undefeated at 8-0. Major league scouts started to notice, but his parents wanted him to finish his education before going pro.

Minor League Development and Path to MLB

Jackson’s journey to the majors started in 1951, when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He went from early struggles to dominating in the California League with the Fresno Cardinals.

Signing with the St. Louis Cardinals Organization

Jackson joined the Cardinals in 1951 after graduating from Boise High in 1949. He’d played both football and baseball at Boise Junior College, earning All-American honors as a halfback.

He started his pro baseball career with the Pocatello team in the Class C Pioneer League. That 1951 season was rough—he finished with a 3-11 record.

Those struggles showed him just how big the jump was from amateur to pro ball. He clearly needed more development before moving up the Cardinals’ system.

California League and Fresno Cardinals Success

Jackson’s big breakthrough came in 1952 with the Fresno Cardinals in the California League. That season, he completely turned things around.

He dominated the league with a 28-4 record for the pennant-winning Fresno squad. Jackson struck out 351 batters, leading the league and showing off his improved command.

Going from 3-11 to 28-4 in just a year was one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in minor league history. Cardinals scouts and execs definitely noticed.

His success in Fresno proved he’d developed the skills he needed for pro ball. The wins and strikeouts showed he could get batters out and help his team win.

Rise Through the Minor Leagues

After that dominant 1952 season, Jackson kept working his way up the Cardinals’ minor league system. He spent the next three years refining his control and working on his secondary pitches.

The Cardinals focused on helping him improve his command and add more pitches. Jackson made steady progress as he moved up through tougher competition.

By 1955, Jackson looked ready for the majors. His minor league experience taught him the fundamentals and toughened him up for MLB.

He made his April 17, 1955 debut with the St. Louis Cardinals, wrapping up a four-year journey from Pocatello to the big leagues.

Major League Career Overview

Larry Jackson became one of the National League’s steadiest pitchers during his 14-year career from 1955 to 1968. He finished with a 194-183 record and a 3.40 ERA in 558 games, making five All-Star teams and finishing second in Cy Young voting in 1964.

MLB Debut and Rookie Years

Jackson made his MLB debut on April 17, 1955, with the St. Louis Cardinals at just 23. He faced the Chicago Cubs, pitching 9 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run, and striking out 3 for a win.

He exceeded rookie limits in his first season. The Cardinals, meanwhile, shuffled through five managers and three general managers in Jackson’s first seven years.

Jackson’s early years were kind of a rollercoaster. The Cardinals couldn’t decide whether to use him as a starter or reliever, so he bounced between roles as the front office kept changing.

Despite all that, Jackson developed his signature slider with help from minor-league coach Johnny Grodzicki. That pitch became his go-to, pairing well with his fastball and curve.

Transition to Starting Pitcher

Jackson’s real breakthrough came in 1957 when manager Fred Hutchinson moved him from the bullpen into the starting rotation. After he allowed just two runs in 24⅔ innings as a reliever, he earned his first All-Star nod that year.

The Cardinals stayed in the pennant race in 1957, tied for first until August 6. Jackson posted a 15-9 record, tying Lindy McDaniel for most wins on the team.

By 1959, new manager Solly Hemus named Jackson the team’s ace. Jackson delivered his best numbers, leading the NL with 7.2 wins above replacement—even though the team finished seventh and he went 14-13.

Key 1959 achievements:

• 3.30 ERA (28% above league average)
• Lowest home run rate allowed in the NL
• Called “the ace of our staff” by Stan Musial

All-Star Selections and Peak Performance

Jackson made five All-Star teams in his career, peaking in 1964 with the Chicago Cubs. Even though the Cubs finished eighth, he led the majors with 24 wins, going 24-11 with a 3.14 ERA.

That season included a near-perfect game against Cincinnati on June 30. Jackson retired the first 18 batters before Pete Rose broke up the perfect game in the seventh with a single. He finished with a one-hitter for his 10th win of the year.

Jackson’s 24 wins in 1964 made him runner-up for the Cy Young Award, earning 2 votes to Dean Chance’s 17. It’s kind of wild, considering how bad the Cubs were that year.

Career All-Star years:

• 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1964

Jackson’s consistency made him one of the NL’s true workhorses, often leading the league in starts and innings during his prime.

Career Highlights and Records

Larry Jackson’s 14-year major league career included some pretty impressive achievements. His 1964 season led the league in wins despite playing for a losing team, and he set fielding records for pitchers.

Leading the National League in Wins

Jackson’s best season came in 1964 when he led the NL with 24 wins. That’s especially impressive since he played for the Cubs, who finished eighth with a 76-86 record.

He went 24-11 that year, struck out 148, and posted a 3.14 ERA. Jackson also led the league in innings pitched and shutouts that season.

Leading the league in wins while pitching for a losing team isn’t something you see every day. Jackson’s steady performance carried the Cubs’ pitching staff all year.

Statistical Achievements and Fielding Records

In 1964, Jackson set a major league record for pitchers with 109 total chances without an error. That broke the old record of 108, set by Three Finger Brown in 1908 and Eppa Rixey in 1917.

Randy Jones of the Padres broke Jackson’s record later with 112 errorless chances in 1976. Jackson also tied Claude Passeau’s record by four times leading pitchers in total chances with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

His career numbers included 194 wins and 183 losses, with a 3.40 ERA over 558 games. Jackson won at least 13 games in each of his last 12 seasons, which is pretty remarkable.

Jackson’s 194 career National League victories are still the most by any right-hander since 1900 who never played for a first-place team.

Cy Young Award Voting and Recognition

Jackson finished second in Cy Young Award voting in 1964, back when only one award covered both leagues. Dean Chance from the American League’s Los Angeles Angels walked away with 17 of the 20 votes that year.

Jackson got two votes, while Sandy Koufax of the Dodgers snagged just one. Voters clearly recognized Jackson’s dominant season, even though he pitched for a losing team.

He made five All-Star teams (1957, 1958, 1960, 1963), which really showed off his steady excellence. Across his three All-Star appearances, Jackson gave up only two hits and kept opponents scoreless in 3⅔ innings.

That runner-up finish in Cy Young voting pretty much marked the high point of Jackson’s individual recognition in the majors.

Notable Seasons, Trades, and Teams

Jackson’s career took him through three main stops that shaped his legacy. His 1964 Cubs season stands out as his best work, and a couple of big trades changed both his path and some baseball history.

He faced off against elite pitchers like Jim Maloney in some truly memorable games.

Time with the Chicago Cubs

Jackson landed in Chicago after a six-player trade following the 1962 season. The Cardinals sent him and Lindy McDaniel over to the Cubs for three players, including Don Cardwell.

He made an immediate impact in 1963. Jackson earned an All-Star spot and picked up the win in the Midsummer Classic, even though it wasn’t his sharpest outing.

He came in with a 3-1 lead in the third and let the tying runs score, but the National League rallied and he ended up with the win.

1964 was Jackson’s signature year. The Cubs finished 76-86, which wasn’t great, but Jackson posted a 24-11 record. He led the league in wins, innings pitched, and shutouts.

His 3.14 ERA and 148 strikeouts got him second place in Cy Young voting. Dean Chance grabbed 17 votes, Jackson got two. He also set a big league record for pitchers with 109 total chances without an error.

In 1965, things got complicated. Jackson lost 21 games, making him the first pitcher since Murry Dickson in the early ‘50s to have both a 20-win and 20-loss season back-to-back.

Philadelphia Phillies and Classic Pitcher Duels

Early in 1966, the Cubs traded Jackson to the Phillies as part of a five-player deal. The trade sent Ferguson Jenkins to Chicago, which changed the course of both teams.

Jackson quickly showed his value in Philadelphia. He tied for the National League lead with five shutouts in 1966.

His experience gave the Phillies’ young pitching staff some much-needed leadership.

Jackson kept it going in 1967. He won his 171st game, passing Bill Doak as the winningest National League right-hander of the 20th century who never played for a pennant winner.

On June 20, 1967, Jackson fired a one-hitter against the New York Mets. Even late in his career, he could still dominate.

He wrapped up his final season in 1968. Jackson went 13-17, but his 2.77 ERA showed he still had plenty left in the tank.

The Montreal Expos picked him in the October expansion draft. Jackson decided to retire instead.

Cincinnati Reds and Jim Maloney Matchup

One of Jackson’s most unforgettable games came against Cincinnati’s Jim Maloney in 1965. Both pitchers were absolutely locked in.

Maloney threw a no-hitter on 187 pitches, beating Jackson 1-0 in ten innings. That game really captured the drama of pitcher duels in the ‘60s.

Jackson matched Maloney almost pitch for pitch, giving up just one run in ten innings. He showed he could hang with the league’s best.

Pitchers back then really embraced the idea of complete games and endurance. Both guys threw more than 150 pitches, which is just wild to think about now.

That duel became a big part of Jackson’s legacy as someone who always took on the toughest competition.

Retirement, Legacy, and Post-Baseball Life

Larry Jackson left Major League Baseball in 1968 through the expansion draft, which led to a short connection with the Montreal Expos before he called it a career. After baseball, Jackson headed back to Idaho, built a successful business life, and jumped into politics, even serving in the state legislature.

Expansion Draft and the Montreal Expos

The Phillies left Jackson unprotected in the 1968 expansion draft. The Montreal Expos, brand new at the time, picked him up to help fill out their first roster.

Jackson didn’t want to play in Montreal. At 37, he hoped to finish his career closer to Idaho. He told Phillies GM John Quinn he’d retire unless he could play for a West Coast team.

After the draft, Jackson went public with his decision to retire. He wrote to the league office for retirement forms, which kicked off a dispute that dragged through most of the winter.

Montreal GM Jim Fanning thought Jackson might change his mind. “A lot of ballplayers retire in the fall and unretire in the spring, especially those making good money,” Fanning said.

Jackson didn’t budge. He officially retired after the 1968 season, ending a 14-year run in the big leagues.

Bobby Wine Trade and Final MLB Decisions

The trade involving Bobby Wine fizzled out since Jackson had already made up his mind to retire. He just wasn’t interested in playing for an expansion team so far from home.

Even in 1968, Jackson showed he still had it. He posted a 2.77 ERA, the best on the Phillies, though his record was 13-17. That losing record said more about the team than about him.

Jackson grew tired of losing seasons. He spent most of his career on teams that just didn’t win much, which probably kept him from getting more recognition.

He finished up with 194 wins and 183 losses. A 3.40 ERA and five All-Star nods say a lot about his steady performance over 14 years.

Political Career in Idaho

After baseball, Jackson returned to Idaho and got into business. He worked as a governmental relations administrator at Boise Cascade Corporation until 1973.

Then he switched gears and went into the life and health insurance business. His baseball background opened doors in the Idaho business world.

Eventually, Jackson entered politics and served in the Idaho House of Representatives. His sports reputation and business savvy made him a respected voice in state politics.

During his time in office, Jackson focused on issues that mattered to Idaho residents. He used his platform to speak up for education and economic growth in the state.

Lasting Impact on Baseball

Jackson’s career stats put him among the most underrated pitchers of his time. With a 55.6 WAR and 113 OPS+, he brought real value to every team he joined.

He worked as a true innings-eater, always stepping up when his team needed him. Jackson finished his career with 149 complete games and 37 shutouts.

People still talk about his 1964 season—it stands out as his best by far. He led the majors with 24 wins and came in second for the Cy Young Award, just behind Dean Chance.

Jackson’s journey highlights the struggles that talented players face when they’re stuck on weak teams. Even though he found personal success, he never got to play in a World Series or get the recognition he probably deserved.