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

Larry Lintz found a unique niche in Major League Baseball during the 1970s. As a speedy outfielder and pinch runner, he made his name not with power or dazzling defense, but with his knack for stealing bases and sparking his teams’ offenses.

Lintz played for six MLB teams between 1973 and 1978, and he became known as one of baseball’s top pinch runners and base-stealing specialists. He only spent five seasons in the majors, but his presence on the roster meant a lot more than his stat line ever showed. Managers leaned on him as a go-to weapon off the bench, especially when stolen bases started to matter more in the game.

This look at Lintz’s career shows how someone with a pretty specific skill set can actually thrive in pro baseball. He relied on speed and sharp instincts to make it work. Lintz’s journey highlights the value of specialized roles and gives a peek into his life in and out of baseball.

Early Life and Education

Larry Lintz grew up in Martinez, California, surrounded by a family that loved baseball. Even as a kid, his speed and athleticism stood out.

He shined in high school baseball and then headed to Contra Costa College. There, he started sharpening the skills that would define his career.

Background and Family

Larry Eugene Lintz was born on October 10, 1949, in Martinez, California. He grew up in a working-class household where his family always encouraged his love of sports.

Martinez was a great place for young ballplayers. The city had strong youth leagues and a big sports culture.

His parents noticed his speed early on and pushed him to try both baseball and track. They figured his quickness might open some doors.

The Lintz family believed in hard work and staying dedicated. Larry took those lessons to heart, and they shaped how he approached sports.

He earned a reputation for his speed in local leagues. People used to talk about how he could steal bases almost whenever he wanted, and that skill followed him into pro ball.

High School Achievements

At Alhambra High School in Martinez, Lintz played both baseball and track. Scouts from around Northern California started to notice him.

He set school records for stolen bases. Every time he got on base, he became an instant scoring threat for the Bulldogs.

Running track made him even faster. Competing in sprints taught him better running form, which later helped with base stealing.

His coach always praised his work ethic. Lintz was the type who’d show up early and stay late, just to keep practicing.

By his junior year, college recruiters were tracking him. His mix of speed and baseball sense made him stand out for junior college programs.

College Baseball Experience

Lintz went to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California, and played for the Comets. The junior college scene gave him tougher competition and more structured coaching.

He led the team in steals both seasons he played. His numbers on the basepaths were impressive.

Coaches at Contra Costa worked with him on his base-running technique. They taught him how to read pitchers and get better jumps.

He also improved his defense a lot during college. While speed was his calling card, he worked on his fielding and throwing to round out his game.

Scouts started showing up at Contra Costa games just to watch him. Word about his speed traveled fast around the California baseball scene.

Professional Baseball Career

Larry Lintz built his pro career as a speedy outfielder and utility guy, mostly known for stealing bases. He played for three major league teams and earned a reputation for his quickness.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season

Lintz debuted in the majors with the Oakland Athletics in 1973. The A’s were building a dynasty at the time, and he joined right in.

His rookie year gave fans a glimpse of his speed. He played in 56 games that first season.

He hit .250 as a rookie, working mostly as a pinch runner and sometimes as an outfielder. His role was pretty specialized, but the team valued it.

The A’s coaches saw how dangerous he could be on the bases. That threat became his trademark in the majors.

Teams Played For

Lintz played for three organizations in the big leagues. Each one found a way to use his speed.

Oakland Athletics (1973-1975)
He started with the A’s, spending three seasons there during their championship run.

Montreal Expos (1976-1977)
After Oakland, he joined the Expos. Playing in the National League gave him new chances to use his speed.

Philadelphia Phillies (1978)
His last season was with the Phillies. That was the final stop in his pro career.

All three teams mostly used him as a pinch runner and backup outfielder. His batting average stayed modest throughout.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Stealing bases was Lintz’s biggest strength. He racked up 84 stolen bases in just 318 games.

His best year came in 1974 with Oakland, when he swiped 50 bases. That put him among the league’s top base stealers.

He succeeded on most of his steal attempts. Over his whole career, he only got caught 25 times.

His speed proved useful for the A’s in the postseason. He got into playoff games as a pinch runner.

He played 318 games and had 466 at-bats, ending up with a .238 career average.

Retirement in 1978

Lintz wrapped up his career with the Phillies in 1978, playing in 39 games that season.

He kept the same role—pinch runner and utility player. The Phillies liked having his experience and speed off the bench.

When he turned 30, he decided to step away from pro baseball. His specialized skills had carried him through six seasons.

The 1978 season marked the end of his run. Lintz walked away from the game with a unique legacy built on speed.

Playing Style and Position

People remember Larry Lintz for his speed and base-stealing during his time in the majors. He mainly played as an outfielder and second baseman, using his quickness on both offense and defense.

Primary Position

Most of the time, Lintz played center field and second base. He was a utility guy who could fill in wherever the team needed.

His flexibility made him valuable to managers looking for options. Over his career, he played second, shortstop, and all three outfield spots.

The A’s and Expos mostly put him in center field. His speed let him cover a lot of ground out there.

When he played infield, he usually manned second base. He had quick reflexes and could turn double plays well.

Speed and Base Stealing

Speed was always Lintz’s biggest weapon. In 1974, he stole 50 bases for the A’s, his best single season.

He kept up strong stolen base numbers throughout his career. In just five major league seasons, he finished with 117 stolen bases.

He did well on his steal attempts, getting caught only 40 times. That’s a solid percentage for any era.

Pitchers and catchers always had to keep an eye on him. Lintz liked to take big leads and force hurried throws.

Defensive Abilities

Lintz played solid defense and rarely made errors. His speed let him get to balls others might miss.

In center field, he chased down fly balls in the gaps. His range was better than average for his time.

At second base, he flashed good hands and quick feet. He could turn the double play when needed.

His arm wasn’t the strongest, but he made up for it with smart positioning and quick throws.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Larry Lintz left his mark on baseball with his speed and knack for stealing bases. His impact went beyond numbers, earning him respect in the clubhouse and inspiring future speedsters.

Recognition Among Peers

Teammates and opponents respected Lintz for his base-stealing skills. He could steal bases at the right moments and became a valuable piece for every team.

Guys on his teams often mentioned how much he studied pitchers. Lintz put in extra time watching for pitcher habits and catcher signals. That attention to detail helped him succeed on the bases.

Managers loved having his speed as a game-changer. Just being on base forced opponents to change their plans. Pitchers had to worry about him instead of just focusing on the batter.

Players liked his professionalism and effort. Even as a utility player, Lintz always worked hard in practice and took his job seriously. That attitude earned him real respect.

Influence on Future Players

Lintz’s approach to base stealing influenced players who came after him. His habit of studying pitchers became a model for young speedsters. They learned to look for small timing cues and delivery patterns.

His success as a pinch-runner helped teams see the value in that role. After Lintz, more clubs started using players off the bench for speed.

Coaches used his methods to teach base-running. He emphasized getting a good jump and reading pitchers, which became standard lessons for young players.

His stolen base numbers set a bar for future base stealers to chase.

Personal Life After Retirement

After baseball, Larry Lintz moved into business and stayed active in his community. He focused on building a steady life and helping the next generation of players.

Post-Baseball Career

When he retired in 1978, Lintz started a business. He opened a sporting goods store back in his hometown, using his baseball background to connect with customers.

The shop specialized in baseball gear and training equipment. Lintz helped young players pick out the right stuff and often shared stories from his playing days.

He later got involved with youth baseball clinics. He taught kids the basics, especially base running, which was always his specialty. Parents liked having a former big leaguer coaching their kids.

Lintz also scouted part-time for minor league teams. His eye for talent and game knowledge made him a good evaluator. This kept him close to baseball without the grind of a full-time job.

Community Involvement

Lintz stayed active in local youth sports after retiring. He volunteered as a Little League coach, and kids loved learning base stealing from him.

He organized free baseball camps for underprivileged kids. These camps gave out equipment and included coaching and mentorship. Local businesses chipped in to help cover costs.

He often spoke at schools about the importance of education and sports. Lintz reminded students that most people don’t make it to the majors, so school matters too.

He supported local charities by helping with fundraisers. Golf tournaments and autograph signings brought in money for good causes, and his name always drew a crowd.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Larry Lintz earned modest pay during his short MLB career in the 1970s, which was pretty normal for utility players back then. After retiring, his finances reflected the limited earning power of role players before baseball salaries skyrocketed.

Career Earnings

Larry Lintz played professional baseball from 1973 to 1978. That’s six seasons in the majors, which honestly feels like a solid run for a utility player back then.

He earned somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000 over his MLB career. That might seem low now, but it lined up with what most players in his role took home in the 1970s.

Back in 1973, the minimum salary started at $15,000. By 1978, it had crept up to $21,000, but still nothing wild by modern standards.

Lintz probably made the most in 1974 with the Montreal Expos. He played in 106 games and swiped 50 bases, so the team definitely got their money’s worth that year.

He also spent time in the minors before and after his MLB stint. Those paychecks were much leaner, usually between $500 and $1,500 a month during the season.

Financial Status After Retirement

When Lintz retired from baseball in 1978, he had to figure out how to adjust to regular life. Back then, most players really needed second careers since their baseball paychecks just didn’t stretch far enough for lifelong security.

Lintz tried his hand at several jobs after leaving the game. He spent time coaching and got involved in a few business ventures too.

A lot of former players used their baseball background to land coaching gigs at high schools or colleges. It was a pretty common move.

Lintz managed to keep his finances steady, but nothing extravagant. Modern players might walk away after a few seasons and never work again, but guys from the ’70s usually kept working into their 60s.

Since players in his era didn’t get much in the way of pension benefits, Lintz mostly depended on whatever jobs he could find after baseball. MLB eventually improved their pension plans, and he did get a little extra income from that, but honestly, benefits for his generation stayed pretty limited.