Barry Larkin hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in 1996 the year after he ran away with the 1995 Most Valuable Player award.
Larkin becomes the 22nd shortstop to enter the Hall with votes on 86 percent of the ballots. Seventy-five percent is required. He joins Ron Santo, who was elected earlier by the Veterans Committee.
Those two seasons defined the career of the Cincinnati native, who along with David Concepcion, held down the Reds shortstop position for a quarter century.
Larkin a Cincinnati native hit .295 over 2,180 games. He hit 198 home runs, drove in 960 runs and stole 379 bases.
Frequent injuries prevented him from getting coveted milestones like 3,000 hits and 1,000 RBI.
Among the best defensive shortstops of his era, Larkin was an offensive force. He could leadoff. His career on-base-percentage was .352 and he exceeded .400 twice over a season with .440 over 152 games in 1996. He had excellent bat control. He could spoil good pitches deep in the count with a flick of the wrist. Larkin walked more times (939) than he struck out (817).
"He is the smartest player I ever played with or against," Eric Davis said. "He could do anything you needed him to do. He did not shy away from clutch situations. There was nothing on the field that he could not do. If you look at his body of work, it was second to none."
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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