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

Larry Whisenton’s baseball career didn’t exactly rewrite the record books, but his story is one of grit and sticking with it. Born in St. Louis in 1956, Whisenton spent six seasons in the Atlanta Braves organization. He made his mark as a left-handed outfielder during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Whisenton played his final Major League Baseball game on September 30, 1982. That closed out a career spanning 116 games in two separate stints with the Braves from 1977-1979 and 1981-1982.

Atlanta picked him in the second round of the 1975 amateur draft, straight out of Central High School in St. Louis. That launched a decade-long ride through both the majors and minors.

Let’s dig into Whisenton’s journey, from his high school days to his big league debut at 21, his stats in Atlanta, and a pretty long minor league run that lasted until 1985. His story gives a glimpse into the lives of the players who kept pro baseball humming during a time of big changes in the game.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Larry Whisenton was born July 3, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri. He built his baseball skills at Central High School, and his standout high school performance—batting .460—got the attention of professional scouts.

That led to his selection by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 1975 amateur draft.

Childhood and Background

Whisenton grew up in St. Louis during the 1960s and early 1970s. Born on July 3, 1956, he found his love for baseball in a city with deep baseball roots.

He went to Central High School, where he focused on his athletic abilities. As a lefty at the plate and in the field, he stood 6’1″ and weighed 190 pounds.

His athletic eligibility ended after his junior year because of age rules. So, Whisenton had to make some big decisions about his future before even finishing high school.

High School Baseball Achievements

Whisenton put up a .460 batting average his senior year at Central High School. That kind of hitting drew plenty of looks from pro scouts.

He helped Central High School reach the state high school finals. That playoff run showed he could handle pressure in big games.

Scouts called him “a solid hitter with a picture swing.” His consistent bat and natural swing made him a real prospect.

Draft Selection and Signing

The Atlanta Braves took Whisenton in the second round of the 1975 MLB draft. That high pick showed they believed in his potential.

UPI reported that Whisenton “hit .460 for his high school team” and “led his team to the state high school finals.” The Braves’ scouting report liked his hitting and swing mechanics.

Whisenton left Central High in 1975 without graduating so he could start his pro career. Later on, he finished his diploma credits while playing in the minors.

MLB Journey with Atlanta Braves

Larry Whisenton spent his entire major league career with the Braves from 1977 to 1982. He got limited playing time his first four seasons, then found a role as a pinch-hitter and spot starter during the team’s division-winning 1982 run.

Major League Debut and Initial Seasons

Whisenton made his MLB debut on September 17, 1977, at age 21. The Braves had drafted him in the second round back in 1975.

During his first few seasons from 1977 to 1979, Whisenton barely got on the field. He just couldn’t quite carve out a regular spot on the roster.

After 1979, Whisenton didn’t play in the majors in 1980. He spent that year working on his game in the Braves’ minor league system.

He returned to the big leagues in 1981. But even then, he didn’t get many chances to play as he kept trying to earn a bigger role.

Role and Highlights in the 1982 Season

The 1982 season finally brought a turning point. Whisenton got some starts and became a go-to pinch-hitter for the division-winning Braves.

His best game came on May 25, 1982, against the New York Mets. Whisenton went 4-for-4 that day, really showing what he could do with the bat.

At one point that season, his batting average sat at a scorching .417. That was the high-water mark of his MLB hitting.

But as the year went on, his production cooled off. By the end of the regular season, his average had dropped to .238.

Even with the drop, he still played a part in the Braves’ 1982 success. The team took home the National League West division title.

Final Game and Retirement from MLB

Whisenton’s major league career wrapped up during the 1982 National League Championship Series. His final at-bat came in Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

He grounded out against Joaquin Andujar, and that was it for his MLB time after six seasons with the Braves.

Whisenton finished with a .234 batting average in 116 games. He hit 4 home runs and drove in 21 RBIs with Atlanta.

His pro baseball career lasted ten years, all with the Braves organization. Most of that time, he played for their minor league teams, especially in Richmond.

Whisenton retired from pro ball after the 1982 season, just 26 years old.

Performance and Statistics

Larry Whisenton’s five-season MLB career with the Braves ran from 1977 to 1982. He posted a .234 batting average in 116 games. His best year was 1982, when he played in 84 games and mainly worked as an outfielder, putting up a .968 fielding percentage.

Batting Average and Key Metrics

Whisenton’s career .234 average shows how tough it was for him to stick as a big league hitter. In 1982, his best season, he batted .238 in 84 games, with 34 hits in 143 at-bats.

He actually had his most promising stretch in 1979, posting a .243 average over 13 games. That year, his on-base percentage hit .300 and his slugging percentage reached .351.

Whisenton’s plate discipline went up and down. In 1982, he drew 23 walks and struck out 33 times, which isn’t bad for someone with limited chances. His on-base percentage that year climbed to .339, showing improvement in his approach.

Across his whole career, Whisenton picked up 48 hits in 205 at-bats. He walked 29 times and struck out 42, so he held his own in terms of discipline at the plate.

Home Runs and Offensive Impact

Whisenton didn’t hit for much power, finishing with four home runs and 21 RBIs in five seasons. All four homers and 17 of those RBIs came in 1982, which was clearly his peak.

He added 10 doubles and three triples in his MLB career. In 1982, he notched seven doubles and two triples, proving he could find the gaps when he played more regularly.

He scored 27 runs, with 21 coming in his last season. Whisenton stole three bases and got caught twice, so he had decent instincts but not blazing speed.

His offensive numbers looked best when he got more chances. In 1982, he had 168 plate appearances—way more than any other year—and that gave him a chance to show more of what he could do.

Fielding and Defensive Contributions

Whisenton played solid defense as an outfielder, ending up with a .968 fielding percentage in 53 games. He handled both left and right field competently.

In 1979, he had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage over 13 games. He took care of 31 chances without a single error—28 putouts and three assists.

The 1982 season gave him his biggest sample size defensively. He appeared in 34 games in the outfield, handling 56 chances and making just two errors, for a .964 percentage.

Whisenton’s range factor of 1.70 per game was a bit below the league average of 2.28. Still, his steady glove made him a reliable option when the Braves needed him.

Minor League and Post-MLB Career

Larry Whisenton spent most of his career in the minors. He played 11 seasons from 1975 to 1985 with various Braves affiliates. After his last MLB game in 1982, he kept playing in Triple-A for three more years before hanging it up in 1985.

Triple-A Experiences and Teams

Whisenton’s Triple-A career mostly revolved around the Richmond Braves. He first appeared there in 1976, playing just one game.

He got his first real taste of Triple-A in 1978, playing 135 games for Richmond. That year, he batted .241 with 10 homers and 55 RBIs.

Richmond became his baseball home late in his career. In 1981, he had one of his best years, batting .271 with 13 home runs and 72 RBIs in 129 games—plus a .391 on-base percentage.

After his big league days ended in 1982, Whisenton returned to Richmond for three more seasons. He played 93 games in 1983, then 98 in 1984. His last Triple-A season came in 1985, when he played 47 games with Richmond before finishing up with Double-A Greenville.

Minor League Achievements

Whisenton’s minor league career covered 1,175 games from 1975 to 1985. He hit .272 with 75 home runs and 512 RBIs at all levels. His best year was 1985, when he hit .326 between Richmond and Greenville.

Back in 1976, he showed his early potential, playing 144 games across three levels and hitting .288 with 152 hits. He racked up 27 doubles, 12 triples, nine homers, and stole 29 bases that season.

Key Career Statistics:

• Games Played: 1,175
• Batting Average: .272
• Home Runs: 75
• RBIs: 512
• Stolen Bases: 201

Speed was always part of his game. Whisenton stole 201 bases in his minor league career, with his top season coming in 1977 when he swiped 37 bags between Savannah and Richmond.

Transition Toward Retirement

After his 1982 MLB season, Whisenton moved back to full-time minor league play. In 1983, he played 93 games for Richmond and batted .245 with 8 home runs.

As new prospects arrived, he saw less playing time. The 1984 season kept him in Richmond, where he appeared in 98 games and hit .266.

He kept up decent numbers, but his role shifted more toward being a veteran presence. He wasn’t the primary contributor anymore.

Whisenton played his final professional season in 1985. He started with Richmond, hitting .331 over 47 games.

Atlanta then sent him to Double-A Greenville for his final 70 games, where he hit .323. That strong finish gave a nice ending to his 11-year career.

He retired at age 28 after the 1985 season. Limited MLB chances and the rise of younger talent in the Braves system played a role in his decision to leave professional baseball.

Life After Professional Baseball

Larry Whisenton stepped into a private life after his last at-bat in the 1982 National League Championship Series. His post-baseball years show he’s kept strong ties to his St. Louis roots and stays connected to the baseball community.

Personal Life and Residence

After retiring from baseball in 1982, Larry Whisenton returned to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. The former Braves outfielder has lived a pretty private lifestyle since then.

Born July 3, 1956, Whisenton has spent his post-baseball years outside the public eye. Unlike a lot of former players, he didn’t go into coaching or broadcasting after his six-season major league career.

He chose to stay in St. Louis, showing his deep connection to the city where he went to Central High School. The community that first saw his baseball talent became his permanent home.

Details about his family or specific post-baseball career are scarce. That privacy has let him build a life away from the game, though he still keeps some ties to baseball.

Community Involvement and Legacy

Whisenton hasn’t been very involved in organized baseball since retiring, at least not compared to some other former players. His legacy is still mostly connected to his time with the Atlanta Braves, where he spent all ten years of his pro career.

He played during the fast-paced, speed-focused era of the 1970s—a time when artificial turf changed the game and teams valued speed and stolen bases. That had to be a challenge, right?

Most fans remember his big game on May 25, 1982, when he went 4-for-4 against the Mets. That day, he was batting .417, which turned out to be the high point of his season, even though he finished at .238.

He hasn’t kept a high public profile, but his story still means something to Braves fans and baseball historians. His journey from St. Louis Central High School to the majors reflects the hopes of so many young players who dream of going pro.

Legacy and Recognition

Larry Whisenton’s legacy with the Atlanta Braves shows what a dedicated role player can mean to a team. He spent his whole pro career with the Braves, during a pretty important stretch in their history, including the 1982 division title.

Impact on Atlanta Braves History

Whisenton made his biggest mark during the Braves’ 1982 division-winning season. After four years of limited chances, he became a valuable pinch-hitter and spot starter.

His best game came on May 25, 1982, when he went 4-for-4 against the Mets. At that moment, he was batting .417—a career best.

His last big league appearance happened in Game 3 of the 1982 National League Championship Series against the Cardinals. He grounded out against Joaquin Andujar, ending his five-year MLB run.

Whisenton spent all ten years of his pro career with the Braves. That kind of loyalty to one team is rare these days, and it makes him a memorable part of Braves history.

Career Retrospective and Public Perception

Larry Whisenton’s career stats show what you’d expect from a bench player in that era. He hit for a .234 batting average with 4 home runs and 21 RBIs over 116 games.

Baseball in the 1970s changed a lot, especially with the push for speed after several teams put in artificial turf. Even though the Braves picked him in the second round of the 1975 amateur draft, Whisenton couldn’t quite lock down a regular starting spot.

He grew up in St. Louis and went straight from high school to pro ball, which says a lot about the different ways players developed back in the mid-70s. The Braves grabbed him before he finished at St. Louis Central High School.

Whisenton built a reputation as a reliable organizational guy. He stepped up when the Braves needed him, especially during their memorable 1982 season.