Gene Larkin | |
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First baseman / Right fielder / Designated hitter | |
Born: Flushing, New York, U.S. | October 24, 1962|
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 21, 1987, for the Minnesota Twins | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 11, 1993, for the Minnesota Twins | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .266 |
Home runs | 32 |
Runs batted in | 266 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Eugene Thomas Larkin (born October 24,1962) is an American former switch-hitting first baseman,designated hitter,and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire seven-season career with the Minnesota Twins. [1] During his playing career he wore #9 for Minnesota,and was a member of both the 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams. He is best known for hitting the series-winning single,a deep fly ball that was not caught by the Braves' drawn-in outfield and scored Dan Gladden from third base during the tenth inning in Game 7 of the 1991 Series.
Larkin was one of seven Twins to be part of both the 1987 and 1991 World Series teams. The other six were Randy Bush,Greg Gagne,Kirby Puckett,Al Newman,Kent Hrbek and Gladden.
Larkin attended Columbia University,where he played for the Lions and was later drafted in the 20th round of the 1984 amateur draft. He was the first alumnus of Columbia University to make the major leagues since Lou Gehrig. He also graduated from Chaminade High School in Mineola,New York. [2] He lives in Eden Prairie,Minnesota,where he coaches youth travel baseball and is the Vice President of Players Only Incorporated,where he does private and group instruction.
In a 758-game major league career,Larkin compiled a .266 batting average (618-for-2321) with 275 runs,32 home runs and 266 RBI. He recorded a .992 fielding percentage at first base and right and left field. In the postseason,in 1987 and 1991 for the Twins,he hit .273 (3-for-11) with 2 RBI.
Paul Leo Molitor,nicknamed "Molly" and "the Ignitor",is an American former professional baseball player and manager. During his 21-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB),he played for the Milwaukee Brewers (1978–1992),Toronto Blue Jays (1993–1995),and Minnesota Twins (1996–1998). He was known for his exceptional hitting and speed. He made seven All-Star Game appearances,and was the World Series Most Valuable Player in 1993. Molitor currently ranks tenth on the all-time MLB career hits list with 3,319. He is one of only five players in history with 3,000+ hits,a lifetime .300+ batting average,and 500+ career stolen bases.
Kirby Puckett was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career for the Minnesota Twins (1984–1995). Puckett was instrumental in helping the Twins to win World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. Puckett generally played center field,although he was shifted to right field later in his career.
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Kent Alan Hrbek,nicknamed "Herbie",is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 14-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins (1981–1994). Hrbek batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He hit the first home run in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on April 3,1982,in an exhibition game against the Phillies. Fans knew Hrbek as an outstanding defensive player,perennial slugger,and charismatic hometown favorite. Former Twins pitcher Jim Kaat considered Hrbek to be the best defensive first baseman he had ever seen,despite him never winning a Gold Glove at the position.
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