PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Former Philly Larry Christenson has unexpectedly died at age 72 while on a fishing trip with family and friends in his native Washington state.
He was a first-round draft pick in 1972, and at the ripe age of 19, pitched a complete game in his 1973 debut. Christenson was on three straight National League championship teams from 1976 to 1978.
He spent his entire 11-year career, including the 1980 World Series Championship, with the club and retired in 1983.
Christenson's 11 career home runs are tied for most in franchise history by a pitcher and are ninth on the club's all-time list for games started with 220.
Former teammates Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa both expressed sadness after learning about his death. Schmidt called him a friend of 50 years, and Bowa called him a "tremendous teammate."
The Phillies said that in addition to his legacy as a Phillies player, “LC” was an active supporter of Phillies charities and other local nonprofits. The club and its fans are forever grateful for his contributions and the legacy he leaves behind in Philadelphia.
