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

Lawrence William Milbourne put together a solid 11-year Major League Baseball career as a utility infielder, bouncing around six different teams before finally hanging up his cleats in 1984.

Born in Port Norris, New Jersey, Milbourne made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 1974. People mostly remember him for his versatility—he played second base, shortstop, third base, and even left field at different points.

Milbourne hit .254 for his career, with 11 home runs and 184 RBIs across 989 games. He mostly served as a reliable bench player and spot starter for teams like the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, and Philadelphia Phillies.

His baseball journey stretched over 15 seasons if you count his four years in the minors, where he honed his skills as a switch-hitting infielder.

Milbourne never reached superstar status, but his career really shows what makes baseball tick—the steady utility guys who bring depth and flexibility to big league rosters.

His story gives a peek into the ups and downs of a journeyman career. He went from making the 1974 Topps All-Star Rookie Team to playing his last season back with the Mariners, where he actually had some of his best years.

Early Life and Background

Larry Milbourne grew up in the tiny oyster town of Port Norris, New Jersey. His family’s love for baseball shaped his early years.

He played as a switch-hitting infielder at Millville High School and earned All-State recognition, which really put him on the map for a professional career.

Hometown of Port Norris

Larry Milbourne was born on February 14, 1951, in Port Norris, New Jersey. Port Norris sits in Commercial Township, Cumberland County.

Back then, the town revolved around the oyster industry. The houses were simple, often built on stilts, and most people made a living from oystering.

When Larry was a kid, a pathogen wiped out the local oyster beds. That disaster hammered the town’s economy, leaving families scrambling after losing their main source of income.

Life got tough in Port Norris after the oyster collapse. Baseball became Larry’s shot at something better. His athletic talent gave him hope to escape the struggles at home.

Family Influences and Upbringing

Paul Milbourne, Larry’s dad, worked as an oyster “shucker” and played for the Shellpile baseball team. That’s where Larry first caught the baseball bug.

Larry’s brother Monty also played ball. The Milbournes shared a real passion for the game, and both brothers eventually signed pro contracts.

Paul even played alongside his sons on the Shellpile team. That family baseball tradition helped Larry sharpen his skills early on. The father-son bond over baseball ran deep in their house.

Monty later signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. For the Milbournes, baseball really became a way out of Port Norris.

High School Baseball Achievements

Larry played at Millville High School as a switch-hitter who could handle any infield spot. That kind of versatility made college scouts take notice.

He earned All-State honors as a junior and senior, marking him as one of the state’s best. His play started drawing pro attention.

Larry’s baseball smarts matched his physical skills. He just seemed to get the game in a way most high schoolers didn’t. Scouts liked both his athleticism and his brain for baseball.

The Baltimore Orioles signed him straight out of high school in 1969. That first pro contract marked the end of his amateur days in New Jersey.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Lawrence William Milbourne’s professional baseball ride started in 1969 when he signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent.

His path to the majors ran through a few different organizations, and he showed real adaptability as a utility infielder at a bunch of positions.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

Milbourne signed his first pro contract on June 18, 1969, with the Orioles. They sent him to their rookie-level team, the Bluefield Orioles in the Appalachian League.

He made a nice debut—batting .305 with 75 hits in 68 games. He racked up 10 doubles, six triples, and four home runs, mostly playing shortstop. Still, his time with Baltimore ended quickly.

The Orioles released him on April 7, 1970, and he spent a whole season out of pro ball. That setback didn’t last; the San Francisco Giants picked him up for the 1971 season.

He bounced back with the Giants’ Class-A Decatur Commodores, hitting .301 with 156 hits in 123 games. He actually led the league in hits, plate appearances, and at-bats.

Minor League Development

Milbourne’s minor league days took him through several organizations before he finally made the majors.

After his big 1971 season, the California Angels snagged him in the minor league draft.

He played for the Double-A Shreveport Captains in 1972, hitting .264 with 110 hits in 122 games. He played only second base, showing off his glove. Then the St. Louis Cardinals picked him in another minor league draft.

The Cardinals sent him to the Triple-A Tulsa Oilers in 1973, where he hit .283 with 104 hits in 111 games. That year, he landed a spot on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster.

The Houston Astros chose him in the Rule 5 draft on December 3, 1973. That move set up his major league debut on April 6, 1974, against the Giants.

Position Versatility and Skills

Milbourne’s biggest strength was playing all over the field. He mostly played second base, but he also handled shortstop, third, and even left field.

He hit as a switch-hitter and threw right-handed, giving his teams plenty of options. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 161 pounds back then. His hitting got a lot better since high school, where he went from a .263 average as a sophomore to .439 as a senior.

When he played as the Mariners’ utility infielder, Milbourne accepted his role. “I know it’s my role to fill in,” he once said. “I’d prefer to play more.”

His defense let managers move him around as needed. He even served as a designated hitter sometimes, which added another layer to his utility value.

Major League Tenure With Houston Astros

Larry Milbourne kicked off his major league career with the Houston Astros in 1974. He spent three seasons there before moving on, and his time in Houston helped establish him as a versatile utility infielder.

Selection by Houston Astros

The Astros picked up Milbourne from Port Norris, New Jersey, during the early 1970s. He’d gone to Millville Senior High School before Houston saw his potential as a utility guy.

He debuted in the majors on April 6, 1974, at 23. The Astros needed infield depth, and Milbourne’s ability to play all over made him a good fit.

The team liked his switch-hitting and defensive flexibility. His right arm paired well with his ability to bat from both sides. That mix made him a handy addition for Houston in the mid-70s.

Performance and Highlights as a Rookie

Milbourne’s rookie year in 1974 turned out to be his best with Houston. He appeared in 112 games and hit .279 with 38 hits in 136 at-bats. He scored 31 runs and drove in 9.

He ran the bases well, stealing 6 bags and getting caught just twice. His .329 on-base percentage showed patience for a rookie. Most of his 42 total bases came from singles, but he added a couple doubles and a triple.

In 1975, his offense dipped—he hit .212 in 73 games. The next year, he played 59 games and bumped his average up to .248.

While in Houston, Milbourne mostly played second base, shortstop, and third base. His defensive flexibility let the Astros move him around as needed.

Nickname and Reputation With the Team

Milbourne built a reputation in Houston as a dependable utility player who’d do whatever the team asked. Teammates and coaches liked his willingness to fill in anywhere. The Astros counted on his professional attitude.

People saw him as more of a glove-first guy than a power hitter. He hardly ever struck out—just 14 times as a rookie. Making contact and putting the ball in play became his thing.

The Astros viewed him as a steady backup who could step in when starters needed a break. His switch-hitting gave Houston more options at the plate. Milbourne’s work ethic and team-first mindset made him a favorite in the clubhouse.

After three seasons, the Astros moved him, and he joined the Seattle Mariners in 1977. His years in Houston really laid the groundwork for the rest of his big league career.

Seattle Mariners Years and Notable Achievements

Larry Milbourne landed with the Seattle Mariners in 1977 and quickly became a big part of the team’s early history.

He actually delivered the first game-winning hit in Mariners history and gave them steady infield play for several seasons.

Joining the Seattle Mariners

The Astros traded Milbourne to the Mariners on March 30, 1977, for Roy Thomas. That deal brought him to the expansion team in just their second season.

Milbourne settled in fast as a valuable utility man. He played all over the infield—second, short, third. The Mariners liked his versatility and steady play.

He made the Opening Day roster three straight years from 1977 to 1979. That showed the team trusted him.

Significant Team Records and Milestones

On April 8, 1977, Milbourne came through with the Seattle Mariners’ first-ever game-winning hit. That’s a cool piece of franchise history.

His best year with Seattle was 1979, when he hit .278 with 99 hits in 123 games. He scored 40 runs and drove in 26, playing all over the diamond.

During his first four-year run with the Mariners (1977-1980), Milbourne played in 302 games. He gave them steady production as a utility infielder before a trade sent him to the Yankees in 1980.

The Mariners brought him back in 1983, and he wrapped up his career with Seattle in 1984. So, the Mariners were both the team where he made history and where he finished up.

Key Moments and Contributions

Milbourne’s utility role really mattered for the young Mariners. He once said, “I know it’s my role to fill in. I’d prefer to play more,” which kind of sums up his attitude—always ready, even if he wanted more playing time.

On August 3, 1978, he delivered another game-winning hit, this time against the Twins. Even with limited at-bats, he found ways to come through in big spots.

His defensive flexibility let Seattle’s managers use him wherever they needed. In 1978, for example, he played 32 games at third, 23 at short, and 15 at second. He even filled in as designated hitter 10 times.

Milbourne’s time with Seattle came in two stints, adding up to five seasons. His contributions helped lay the foundation for the franchise in its early years.

Later Major League Career Before Retirement

Lawrence William Milbourne’s last years in the big leagues were pretty nomadic—he bounced between several teams and filled a classic journeyman role.

Probably his biggest highlight came as part of the 1981 World Series champion New York Yankees. After that, he wrapped up his career with short stints on a few other clubs.

Trades and Team Changes

Milbourne’s career shifted dramatically when the Seattle Mariners traded him to the New York Yankees in 1980. That move worked out well for the utility infielder, since he started getting regular playing time with the Yankees.

The Yankees really liked Milbourne’s versatility and his ability to switch-hit. He covered several infield spots with no problem, and manager Billy Martin often relied on him as a valuable bench guy.

On May 12, 1982, the Yankees sent Milbourne, along with John Pacella and Pete Filson, to the Minnesota Twins. In return, New York got Butch Wynegar and Roger Erickson.

His stay with the Twins didn’t last long. Just a few months after the trade, Minnesota shipped Milbourne off to the Cleveland Indians.

The Indians hung onto him for the rest of the 1982 season. After that, they sold his contract to the Philadelphia Phillies.

1981 World Series With the New York Yankees

Milbourne played a part on the Yankees’ 1981 World Series team. That season got split in half by a players’ strike, so the playoffs felt a little strange.

The Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games to win the World Series. Milbourne helped out as a utility player, filling in at different infield spots all year.

His switch-hitting made him a handy pinch-hitting choice during the playoffs. Billy Martin could pick his spots with Milbourne, depending on which pitcher the Yankees faced.

That World Series win was easily the peak of Milbourne’s baseball career. He picked up his only championship ring with the Yankees.

Final Playing Years and Teams

After his time in Philadelphia, the Phillies sold Milbourne back to the Yankees in 1983. So, he got another shot in New York.

Once the 1983 season ended, the Yankees traded Milbourne back to Seattle. That move brought him right back to the Mariners, where he’d played four seasons earlier.

The 1984 season with Seattle turned out to be Milbourne’s last in the majors. He played his final MLB game on September 29, 1984, against the Chicago White Sox.

Seattle let him go after that season, and just like that, his 11-year Major League career wrapped up. He retired at age 33, finishing a journey that took him through six different MLB teams.

Retirement and Legacy

Larry Milbourne called it a career in 1984 after 15 seasons of pro ball, spending 11 of those years in the majors. His retirement ended a journey that started in the small town of Port Norris, New Jersey and took him all over the country.

Retiring in 1984

Milbourne’s last season came with the Mariners in 1984. He returned to the team where he’d already logged four productive years earlier on. The utility infielder wrapped up his career at 33.

His career stats show a .254 batting average in 989 games. Over his time in the majors, he collected 71 doubles, 24 triples, and 11 home runs. He drove in 184 runs across his MLB years.

The versatile player suited up for six teams: the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, and Philadelphia Phillies. His ability to handle multiple positions kept him in demand.

Honors and Recognitions

Milbourne got recognized by his hometown of Port Norris, New Jersey. The Port Norris Historical Society named him one of their local legends, celebrating his journey from a small community to the big leagues.

His hometown still takes pride in everything he achieved. Lawrence William Milbourne stands out as one of the notable athletes from the Port Norris area, and people there keep celebrating his baseball story, even decades after he hung up his spikes.

Impact on Baseball and Community

Milbourne’s career really showed how much versatility matters in pro baseball. He mostly played second base, but whenever the team needed it, he jumped in at shortstop, third base, or even left field.

That kind of flexibility kept him in the game with several teams. You can’t help but admire that.

Players from small towns found inspiration in his story. Milbourne grew up in Port Norris, where a lot of families made their living in the oystering business.

He proved that someone from a small place could make it in pro sports. His dad, Paul Milbourne, played for the local Shellpile baseball team, so baseball ran in the family.

Milbourne, a switch-hitter, played 15 seasons as a pro, with 11 of those in the majors. He earned a reputation as a reliable utility guy.

He showed his adaptability and work ethic by performing steadily for six different organizations. That’s no small feat.