Norm Larker – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Norman Howard John Larker made his mark as a talented first baseman and outfielder, playing six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1958 to 1963. He suited up for four different National League teams during his career.

Born in the coal mining town of Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania, Larker pushed through real adversity. He even lost a kidney during his minor league days, but still managed to reach the pinnacle of professional baseball.

Larker’s major league career peaked in 1960. He became the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting first baseman, earned his only All-Star selection, and nearly won the National League batting title with a .323 average.

His professional journey took him from the Brooklyn Dodgers organization to stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Colt .45s, Milwaukee Braves, and San Francisco Giants. He wrapped up his career in 1963.

Let’s take a look at Larker’s baseball career, starting from his humble beginnings in Pennsylvania coal country. We’ll cover his rise through the minor leagues and his notable achievements during his six years in the majors. After hanging up his cleats, he moved on to life beyond baseball.

From his clutch hitting in the 1959 World Series to his reputation as one of the game’s most intense competitors, Larker’s story shows both the opportunities and challenges that players faced during baseball’s golden era.

Norm Larker’s Early Life and Background

Norman Howard John Larker grew up in a hardworking mining family in Pennsylvania’s coal country. He first showed his athletic talents on local baseball fields.

His journey from the tough mining town of Beaver Meadows to professional baseball started with high school sports and early recognition of his hitting skills.

Birthplace and Family Heritage

Norman Howard John Larker was born on December 27, 1930, in Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania. This small mining community sat in the state’s hard coal region.

Larker’s family had Slovak-German roots. His father, Lewis Larker, worked in the dangerous local coal mines during the tough economic times of the 1930s. His mother was Susan Zalaznock.

Family Structure:

  • Parents: Lewis Larker and Susan Zalaznock
  • Siblings: Melvin (older brother by one year), Lewis Jr. (younger brother by six years)

Lewis Larker managed to play baseball when he wasn’t working in the mines. He competed as a second baseman and pitcher in county and state semipro leagues. This early exposure to baseball sparked Norm’s interest in the game.

In May 1954, the family suffered a tragedy when Lewis died in a mine accident. This loss happened just as Norm was starting to establish himself in pro baseball.

High School and Early Baseball

Larker attended Hazelton High School, where he sharpened his athletic skills. He graduated in 1948 and had already made a name for himself as a talented baseball player.

The Larker home sat right next to a baseball field, with their house bordering the right-field foul line. That meant Norm could always get in some practice.

He often played with boys up to three years older than him. Norm usually played right field and first base, mostly because he was one of the only kids who had his own glove.

Early Baseball Development:

The local kids made a rule: if you hit a ball over the right-field fence, you were out. They couldn’t afford to lose their only baseball. This forced Larker to focus on line drives instead of home runs.

Path to Professional Baseball

After graduating high school in 1948, Larker jumped straight into professional baseball. He joined the unaffiliated Hazelton Mountaineers of the Class-D North Atlantic League.

Larker’s first pro season showed promise. He hit .300 in 109 games, and regional fans voted him most popular among Hazelton players.

But his rookie season ended with a tough setback. Near the end of the season, a thrown ball struck him in the left kidney area. The injury led to infection and doctors had to remove the kidney.

Larker didn’t let that stop him. He stayed determined to play professional baseball. The Brooklyn Dodgers organization saw his talent and bought his contract at the start of the 1950 season.

Professional Career Beginning:

  • 1948: Hazelton Mountaineers (Class-D North Atlantic League)
  • 1950: Contract purchased by Brooklyn Dodgers
  • Batting Average: .300 in first professional season

Larker’s early success, along with his ability to overcome the kidney injury, showed the resilience that would define his career.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Norm Larker played six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1958 to 1963. He mainly played first base and outfield for four National League teams.

His career hit its high point in 1960. That year, he nearly won the batting title and earned All-Star honors as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting first baseman.

MLB Debut and Early Years with the Dodgers

Larker made his Major League debut on April 15, 1958, at age 27 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his rookie season, he appeared in 291 plate appearances, batted .277, and tallied 25 extra-base hits.

He quickly established himself as a reliable contact hitter. In July 1958, he went on a tear, going 21-for-49 over 15 games and raising his average from .258 to .333.

During a 27-game stretch from June 20 through July 27, he recorded 92 plate appearances without a single strikeout. The Dodgers named him Player of the Month for July.

In 1959, Larker played a big role in the Dodgers’ championship run. He went 5-for-8 in the playoff series against Milwaukee, driving in three runs to help Los Angeles reach the World Series.

Though he struggled in the World Series, batting just .188, he did deliver a key hit in Game Four that helped the Dodgers win their first championship in Los Angeles.

Transition to Regular First Baseman

In 1960, Larker stepped up as a star player. He replaced Gil Hodges as the Dodgers’ starting first baseman. The Dodgers bumped his salary from $10,000 to $17,000 to reflect his new role.

Larker’s contact hitting reached another level that season. After striking out on June 8, he went 108 plate appearances without another strikeout before the All-Star Game. In his first 286 plate appearances, he struck out just eight times.

He hit .455 during a 15-game hitting streak from June 15-30, raising his average to .354. Entering September with a .339 average, Larker led the National League batting race for much of the season.

The batting title race came down to the final day. Dick Groat edged out Larker by just two points, .325 to .323, in one of the closest batting races ever. Even though he missed out on the title, Larker still earned All-Star selection and MVP votes.

Key Teammates and Notable Opponents

During his Dodgers years, Larker played alongside Hall of Famers like Gil Hodges, Maury Wills, and Duke Snider. Hodges mentored him before Larker eventually took over first base.

Larker’s versatility allowed him to play both first base and outfield. He appeared in 43 outfield games during his rookie season in 1958, giving manager Walter Alston more options with the lineup.

In 1961, things took a turn. Larker’s average dropped to .270 in just 97 games. With young Ron Fairly emerging, the Dodgers left Larker unprotected, and Houston picked him in the 1961 expansion draft.

He spent his last seasons with Houston (1962), Milwaukee (1963), and San Francisco (1963), mainly as a role player and pinch-hitter. Larker finished his MLB career with a .275 average, 32 home runs, and 538 hits in 667 games.

Career Milestones and Achievements

Norm Larker collected some solid career highlights during his six years in the majors from 1958 to 1963. He helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1959 World Series championship and earned a spot on the 1960 National League All-Star team while finishing second in the batting race.

1959 World Series Championship

Larker played a big part in the Dodgers’ run to the 1959 World Series title. In the playoff against the Milwaukee Braves, he delivered clutch performances to help secure the National League pennant.

In Game One, he drove in the first run with a line-drive single to right field. He ended up with three hits as the Dodgers won 3-2.

Game Two showed Larker’s knack for coming through under pressure. With the Dodgers down 5-2 in the ninth, he hit a two-run single with the bases loaded. That hit sparked the comeback, and the Dodgers eventually won in extra innings.

His aggressive baserunning also mattered. Larker’s hard slide into second injured Milwaukee shortstop Johnny Logan, forcing the Braves to use backup Felix Mantilla. Mantilla later made the error that allowed the winning run to score.

1960 All-Star Game Selection

Larker earned his only All-Star selection in 1960 after a stellar first half. By the break, he had struck out only eight times in 286 plate appearances through 100 games.

He batted .390 in the 23 games before the break, which helped lock in his All-Star spot. Larker also went 108 plate appearances without a strikeout after June 8.

The 1960 season was the peak of his career. He finished second in the National League batting race with a .323 average, just two points behind Pittsburgh’s Dick Groat. A 15-game hitting streak from June 15-30 saw him bat .455 and jump into serious contention for the batting crown.

Notable Awards and Honors

The Los Angeles Baseball Writers Association named Larker “Sophomore of the Year” in 1959, recognizing his contributions to the World Series team.

In 1958, The Sporting News correspondents voted Larker the hardest worker in the Dodgers’ spring training camp. The Los Angeles Dodger Baseball Museum later picked him as Dodger Player of the Month for July 1958 after he boosted his average from .258 to .333 during a hot streak.

Larker also picked up MVP votes in 1960, showing how much respect he earned around the league. His steady production and clutch hitting made him a valued player during his best years in Los Angeles.

Statistical Highlights and Playing Style

Norm Larker built his six-year career on consistent contact hitting and a disciplined approach at the plate. With a .275 career batting average and the ability to work counts, he provided steady offense for four National League teams.

Batting Averages and On-base Percentage

Larker kept up a .275 batting average over his 667 major league games from 1958 to 1963. His best year came in 1960, when he almost won the National League batting title with a .323 mark.

He finished just two points behind Dick Groat for the crown. Going into September, Larker had a .339 average and led the race by 13 points over Willie Mays.

His contact-hitting style worked well throughout his career. Larker rarely struck out, famously going 108 plate appearances without a strikeout during his All-Star season in 1960.

He developed his line-drive swing as a kid. The local rule in his Pennsylvania hometown—balls over the fence were outs—forced him to become a gap hitter instead of a pure power threat.

Doubles and Slugging Percentage

Larker had a knack for hitting doubles throughout his pro career. He consistently reached double-digit doubles totals in both the minors and majors, thanks to his gap-to-gap approach.

His minor league peak came in 1957 with St. Paul, when he collected 36 doubles, 12 triples, and 12 home runs. That season helped earn his major league call-up the next year.

In the majors, Larker hit 16 doubles during his rookie campaign in 1958. Even though he wasn’t a big home run hitter—finishing with just 32 career homers—his ability to find the gaps made him valuable.

His slugging percentage reflected his doubles-heavy game. While he wasn’t a classic power hitter, his steady extra-base production brought plenty of value to every team he played for.

Leadership in Walks

Larker’s patient approach at the plate really shaped his playing style. He worked deep counts, forced pitchers to throw strikes, and earned walks at a solid rate throughout his career.

During the 1960 season, Larker reached his peak discipline. He drew plenty of walks while keeping his strikeouts to a minimum.

Pitchers from other teams often found him frustrating. They struggled to get him out quickly, and he could foul off tough pitches or work the count until he found something to hit.

Larker’s knack for drawing walks boosted his on-base percentage, sometimes even more than his batting average. That skill made him especially valuable in situations where getting on base mattered more than knocking in runs.

Team Tenures and Trades

After making his mark with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Larker bounced around to three different National League teams in his final seasons. The Houston Colt .45s picked him in the 1961 expansion draft, then he had quick stops with the Milwaukee Braves and San Francisco Giants in 1963.

Years with the Houston Colt .45s

The Houston Colt .45s grabbed Norm Larker from the Dodgers in the 1961 expansion draft. That move brought a major shift in his career as he joined a brand-new franchise.

Larker spent the 1962 season with Houston, helping the team find its footing in the National League. The expansion club leaned on veterans like Larker to bring some experience and leadership in those early years.

After four productive seasons with the Dodgers, Larker got a fresh start with the Colt .45s. The team needed proven major leaguers to stay competitive right away.

Houston liked Larker’s versatility—he could play both first base and the outfield. That flexibility made him a valuable asset for their growing roster.

Milwaukee Braves Season

In 1963, Larker landed with the Milwaukee Braves for part of the season. That year marked another chapter in his journey through the National League.

The Braves brought him in as they tried to add depth for their last season in Milwaukee. The team was already looking ahead to their move to Atlanta.

Larker’s experience and hitting made him a good fit for Milwaukee. The Braves hoped his veteran presence would help their push to stay competitive.

His time with Milwaukee was short, but it was his second-to-last stop in the majors. The team used his skills while managing roster changes in a transitional time.

San Francisco Giants Finale

Larker wrapped up his 1963 season with the San Francisco Giants, splitting the year between Milwaukee and San Francisco. That move finished his tour of National League teams in his final year.

The Giants picked up Larker for some extra depth. He could handle multiple positions, so he became a useful addition for their late-season push.

San Francisco ended up being Larker’s final major league stop before he retired. The Giants gave him a chance to finish out his career on the West Coast.

His stint with San Francisco closed out a six-year major league run, from Los Angeles to Houston, Milwaukee, and finally the Bay Area.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Norman Howard John Larker didn’t stop playing baseball after his 1963 Major League retirement. He spent two more seasons playing professionally in Japan before stepping away from the game in 1967.

After hanging up his cleats, Larker focused on family life and became a well-loved community figure in Long Beach, California.

Playing in Japan

After his last MLB season in 1963, Larker headed to Japan to keep playing ball. He joined the Toei Flyers, one of the teams in Japan’s pro league.

Larker played two seasons with the Toei Flyers, from 1965 to 1967. He got to keep playing while experiencing a totally different baseball culture.

A lot of American players in the 1960s went to Japan for a few extra years on the field. For Larker, those seasons with the Toei Flyers were the real end of his playing days, as he retired from pro baseball in 1967.

Post-Retirement Activities

Once he retired, Larker settled down in Long Beach, California. He became known for his love of barbecuing ribs at birthday parties and block parties.

After baseball, Larker got really into photography. He often served as the neighborhood photographer, capturing community events and family moments.

“He always made sure his camera was always going, like he was recording history,” his wife Louise said. That hobby became a big part of who he was in retirement.

He found a lot of joy in these simple pleasures. Larker’s barbecuing and photography made him a favorite in his Long Beach neighborhood.

Family and Legacy

After retiring, Larker settled in Long Beach with his wife and their four sons. He really put his family first once he stepped away from professional baseball.

Even though he made a name for himself as a Major League player, his family mostly remembered him as a husband and dad. His kids saw him not as the 1960 All-Star, but as a guy who showed up for them.

The Larker family stayed in Long Beach during all his retirement years. Norman Howard John Larker died on March 12, 2007, at 76.

His loved ones mostly talked about how dedicated he was to them, not about his baseball stats. That change from public figure to family man shaped who Larker became after baseball.

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