Larry Christenson, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies’ 1980 World Series championship team, who dedicated his entire career to the franchise, passed away on Friday at the age of 72.
Christenson dedicated 11 years to the Phillies from 1973 to 1983 after being selected in the third round of the 1972 draft. He made a remarkable entrance into the major leagues by pitching a complete game in his debut against the New York Mets on April 13, 1973. In 1980, he made 14 starts, achieving a record of 5-1 with a 4.03 ERA as the Phillies advanced to the World Series. However, he faced a challenging moment in Game 4 against the Kansas City Royals, where he allowed four runs on five hits in just one-third of an inning, contributing to a loss. At the time of his passing on August 28, 2026, Larry Christenson’s net worth was estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million. His Major League Baseball career with the Philadelphia Phillies spanned from 1973 to 1983, a period when player salaries were beginning to increase but remained significantly lower than current figures.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Larry’s beloved daughters, Claire and Libby, his extended family and friends, and former teammates at this difficult time. Nevertheless, Philadelphia secured the championship in six games.
“The club and its fans are forever grateful for his contributions and the legacy he leaves behind in Philadelphia,” the team said in a statement.
Since then, no other debuting pitcher has achieved a complete game.
