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

Larry Jansen stands out as one of baseball’s most overlooked stars from the late 1940s and early 1950s. He achieved some remarkable success during his brief but brilliant major league career.

Born Lawrence Joseph Jansen on July 16, 1920, in the small Dutch farming community of Verboort, Oregon, he came from humble beginnings. He became a two-time All-Star pitcher and played a key role in one of baseball’s most famous moments.

Jansen retired from professional baseball in 1956 after a 10-year major league career. He racked up 122 wins, notched five consecutive seasons with at least 15 victories, and earned the distinction of being the winning pitcher when Bobby Thomson hit the legendary “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in 1951.

His path to the majors didn’t follow the usual script. He didn’t win his first big league game until age 26, but he quickly established himself as one of the National League’s top pitchers with the New York Giants.

This right-hander’s career tells a story of persistence and late-blooming talent. From milking cows on the family farm to his record-setting 30-win season in the Pacific Coast League, Jansen’s journey through professional baseball says a lot about his character and the game’s evolution after World War II.

Early Life and Background

Lawrence Joseph Jansen grew up in a large farming family in rural Oregon. That environment shaped the work ethic and determination that defined his baseball career.

His formative years in Verboort, a small Dutch community, left a mark on his character. At Forest Grove High School, he found limited but meaningful chances to develop his athletic talents.

Family Origins and Childhood in Verboort, Oregon

Larry Jansen entered the world on July 16, 1920, in Verboort, Oregon. He was one of eight children raised on a 90-acre farm by his parents, Albert and his mother.

The Jansen farm ran as a typical agricultural operation in northwestern Oregon. Albert, Larry’s father, loved baseball and encouraged his son’s early interest in the game.

Life on the farm taught Larry the value of hard work. At age 9, he earned his first baseball glove by picking strawberries for 3 cents a box.

That mix of hard work and baseball became a defining part of his life. The close-knit Verboort community supported the large Jansen family, and the rural setting meant few recreational options, so baseball took on even more importance.

Education at Forest Grove High School

Larry attended Forest Grove High School in Forest Grove, Oregon. The school’s small size brought unique challenges—there were only nine boys total.

At one point, Jansen and his brothers made up the entire basketball team. His height, over 6 feet, made him a natural for basketball in that tiny school.

With so few students, organized sports competition was limited. Still, Jansen’s athletic development and love for baseball kept growing.

Forest Grove High School gave him the educational foundation he needed for his professional career. The small setting allowed for close relationships with teachers and coaches.

Early Baseball Experience and Discovery

While still in high school, Jansen started playing semi-professional baseball for local teams. He began as a shortstop for the town team, showing off his athletic ability at multiple positions.

He switched to pitching by chance when someone asked him to finish a one-sided game in relief. That moment revealed his exceptional pitching talent and changed his baseball journey.

Jansen dominated in the semipro league, and his manager, Herb Kappel, took notice. Kappel saw his potential and set up a tryout with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League.

The tryout happened in Portland, where Jansen pitched batting practice to Seals manager Lefty O’Doul. O’Doul, who knew hitting, saw enough promise to invite Jansen to spring training the next year.

Minor League Success

Larry Jansen’s climb to the major leagues showed remarkable growth through the minor league system. He went from a $90-per-month offer to a record-breaking 30-win season, making himself one of the Pacific Coast League’s most dominant pitchers.

Salt Lake City Bees Years

Jansen started his professional career with the Salt Lake City Bees in 1940 after first turning down a low offer from the San Francisco Seals. The 19-year-old right-hander made an immediate impact in the Class C Pioneer League.

He led the Bees to the pennant by 12½ games, finishing with a dominant 20-7 record. His .741 winning percentage and 2.19 earned-run average topped the league.

The league named him to the all-star team after that breakout season. That year proved Jansen could handle pro baseball, even coming from rural Oregon.

His success in Salt Lake City earned him a promotion to the San Francisco Seals for 1941. That performance set the foundation for his minor league career and showed he could dominate at higher levels.

Achievements with San Francisco Seals

Jansen joined the San Francisco Seals in 1941 and posted a solid 16-10 record with a 2.80 ERA for the fifth-place team. He struck out only 70 batters in 238 innings, but showed great control and a businesslike approach on the mound.

In 1942, things got tougher. Jansen finished 11-14 with a 4.32 ERA, but that year included a key development—coach Larry Woodall taught him how to throw a slider.

Physical problems hit Jansen hard in 1942. He battled pneumonia in May, lost 15 pounds, got hit in the face with a batted ball, and struggled with a sore heel.

The slider would become his signature pitch, though he didn’t master it right away. That new pitch turned out to be crucial for his future success.

Impact of World War II on Career

In 1943, Jansen’s draft board told him to expect induction. With a growing family to support, he stayed on the family farm instead of reporting to spring training.

He spent two years milking 27 cows daily and tending a truck garden to help the war effort. Baseball put him on the suspended list for 1943 and the voluntarily retired list for 1944.

During that time, Jansen played twice a week for McElroy’s Ballroom in Portland and a team in Eugene. He used those games to perfect his slider and bulk up, growing from 165 to 188 pounds.

When he returned to the Seals for the last six weeks of 1945, he was a different pitcher. That time away from pro baseball actually helped his development and set him up for his biggest minor league success.

Record-Setting 1946 Season in Pacific Coast League

Jansen’s 1946 season with the San Francisco Seals is still one of the best in minor league history. He won 30 games and lost only six, leading the Pacific Coast League with a record-setting 1.57 earned-run average.

He pitched the Seals to both the Pacific Coast League pennant and the Governor’s Cup. Jansen added two more wins in the playoffs to cap that amazing season.

The numbers say it all:

• 31 complete games in 38 starts
• 321 innings pitched
• 13 consecutive wins at one point
• .279 batting average as a hitter

Manager Lefty O’Doul trusted Jansen’s hitting enough to avoid pinch-hitting for him in close games. Jansen got his final victory against Portland’s Jack Salveson in a 2-1 game that lasted just one hour and 27 minutes.

That historic season finally convinced the New York Giants to trade for him, even though they’d been hesitant to take Seals pitchers before.

Major League Career with the New York Giants

From 1947 to 1954, Larry Jansen became one of the National League’s best pitchers with the New York Giants. His career peaked in 1951 when he tied for the league lead in wins and played a crucial role in the Giants’ pennant victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers

Cincinnati Redlegs and Final Playing Season

Larry Jansen wrapped up his nine-year Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1956. That season really signaled the end of an era for the veteran pitcher.

He left his longtime home with the New York Giants and joined Cincinnati, making just eight appearances before calling it a career at age 36.

Joining the Cincinnati Redlegs

After eight solid years with the New York Giants from 1947 to 1954, Larry Jansen landed with the Cincinnati Redlegs for the 1956 season. He wanted to keep playing after his time with the Giants ended, so Cincinnati became his next stop.

The Redlegs put together a strong team in 1956. They finished third in the National League with a 91-63 record.

Birdie Tebbetts managed the team and Crosley Field served as their home turf.

That year, Cincinnati’s lineup was stacked. The team blasted a National League record 221 home runs.

Frank Robinson led with 38 homers as a rookie, Wally Post added 36, and Ted Kluszewski chipped in 35. Not bad for one season, right?

Performance and Statistics in 1956

Jansen’s final season was short and felt like a quiet ending to a respectable run. He pitched in only eight games for Cincinnati during 1956.

He took on a limited role as a veteran winding down his career.

His last game happened on September 25, 1956, against the Milwaukee Braves. That day, he threw 1.2 innings, gave up three hits and a walk, and allowed three earned runs in a losing effort.

Looking at his career stats, Jansen stayed pretty consistent over nine seasons. He finished with a 122-89 record and a 3.58 ERA across 291 games.

That .578 winning percentage shows he stayed effective throughout his big league years.

Retirement from Major League Baseball

At 36, Jansen decided to retire after his short stint with the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1956. He figured it was the right time to step away.

He spent nine seasons in the National League, with most of his success coming during his eight years with the New York Giants. There, he built his reputation as a reliable starter and even earned two All-Star nods.

His final numbers—122 wins and a 3.58 ERA—put him among the solid pitchers of his era. The veteran right-hander played a part on some competitive teams during the post-war baseball years.

Coaching and Post-Playing Contributions

Larry Jansen didn’t stay away from baseball for long after retiring as a player in 1956. He jumped into coaching and managing roles that lasted over two decades.

His experience as a pitcher made him a valuable mentor in both the Pacific Coast League and Major League Baseball.

Return to the Pacific Coast League

Jansen kicked off his post-playing career by managing in the Pacific Coast League. He took on managing jobs with the Portland Beavers and Seattle Rainiers.

The Pacific Coast League gave Jansen his first real shot at teaching the game from the dugout. His background as a major league pitcher made younger players listen up.

During his time managing there, Jansen shaped his coaching philosophy. He zeroed in on helping pitchers with their mechanics and mental approach.

Pitching Coach Tenure with the San Francisco Giants

In 1961, the San Francisco Giants brought Jansen back as their pitching coach. That role turned out to be his biggest contribution to baseball after his playing days.

Jansen served as the Giants’ pitching coach for 11 seasons, making him one of the longest-serving coaches in team history. His deep understanding of pitching and strategy proved invaluable to the Giants.

The pitching staff really benefited from his guidance during the 1960s. He worked with plenty of pitchers who went on to have strong major league careers.

His coaching years lined up with some of the Giants’ most competitive seasons in San Francisco. The team made several playoff runs while he was on the staff.

Coaching Career with the Chicago Cubs

No evidence shows that Larry Jansen ever coached for the Chicago Cubs. His post-playing career focused mainly on the Pacific Coast League and his long run with the San Francisco Giants.

Jansen’s coaching legacy stayed centered on his work with the Giants. Those 11 years as pitching coach really stand out in his post-playing career.

Personal Life and Legacy

Larry Jansen built his life around his Oregon hometown of Verboort, raising ten children and becoming a fixture in the community. His baseball achievements earned him recognition in Oregon sports history, but his influence went even further through coaching and mentoring.

Family and Community

Larry Jansen married his sweetheart Eileen Vandehey in 1939, not long after finishing high school. Together, they raised ten children in their tight-knit community.

He stayed connected to his rural Dutch community in Verboort all his life. When baseball paused in 1942 and 1943 because of World War II, he went back home to help on the family’s dairy farm.

In 1951, while playing for the New York Giants, Jansen built a house in Verboort. He lived there for the rest of his life—a real testament to his commitment to his roots.

After retiring from coaching in 1974, he returned to Verboort full time. He worked in real estate sales and stayed active in his community until he passed away in 2009.

Honors and Hall of Fame Inductions

Lawrence Joseph Jansen earned plenty of recognition for his baseball career and contributions to Oregon athletics. In 1980, he entered the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame as part of the very first class, which says a lot about his legacy.

Sports Illustrated named Jansen one of the fifty greatest athletes from Oregon in 2004. That’s some serious company in a state with a rich sports history.

Jansen also shared his knowledge through writing. In 1977, he co-authored “The Craft of Pitching” with George Jansen, hoping to help future players and coaches.

Death and Burial

Larry Jansen passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 10, 2009, at age 89 in the same Verboort home he’d built back in 1951. He died just two days before his 90th birthday.

He was buried at Visitation Cemetery in Verboort, Oregon. That final resting place kept him close to the community that shaped his life and values.

Influence on Teammates and Baseball History

Jansen didn’t just leave his mark on the field—he shaped the game through his coaching too. He spent eleven seasons as pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants, then moved on to the Chicago Cubs for another three.

His most unforgettable moment? He won the October 3, 1951 playoff game, the same one where Bobby Thomson launched the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” That game really locked in Jansen’s spot in baseball history.

As a coach, Jansen worked closely with tons of pitchers, guiding them as they tried to master their craft. Players often leaned on his experience and insights to get better.

Jansen also crossed paths with some of the game’s biggest legends. He gave Mickey Mantle his first World Series hit, and let Joe DiMaggio double in his final at-bat during the 1951 Series.