Larry Biittner
Larry Biittner | |
---|---|
Outfielder / First baseman | |
Born: Pocahontas, Iowa, U.S. | July 27, 1946|
Died: January 2, 2022 Pocahontas, Iowa, U.S. | (aged 75)|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
July 17, 1970, for the Washington Senators | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 29, 1983, for the Texas Rangers | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .273 |
Home runs | 29 |
Runs batted in | 354 |
Teams | |
Lawrence David Biittner (July 27, 1946 – January 2, 2022) was an American
Early life
Biittner was born in
Professional career
Washington Senators / Texas Rangers (1970–1973)
Biittner played two seasons in the minor leagues from 1968 to 1970,
Biittner's .259 average in 1972 was tied with Toby Harrah for the team lead. He also hit his first home run on June 30 that year, immediately after Ted Ford hit one. This marked the first back-to-back home runs in Texas Rangers history.[1]
Montreal Expos (1974–1976)
Biittner was traded from the Rangers to the Montreal Expos for Pat Jarvis on December 20, 1973.[5] He spent the first part of the 1974 season with the Memphis Blues (the Expos' Class-AAA affiliate), before being promoted to the major league roster in August. However, he was limited to pinch-hitting appearances.[1] The following year saw Biittner bat .315 (the highest among Expos players that season),[1] along with 109 hits and 28 runs batted in (RBI). He was later traded with Steve Renko to the Chicago Cubs on May 17, 1976, in exchange for Andre Thornton.[2]
Chicago Cubs (1976–1980)
Biittner initially played in a
Biittner received less playing time over his final three seasons with the Cubs and did not exceed 300 plate appearances in 1979 or 1980.[1][2] He again fell short of the cycle on August 15, 1979, this time missing the feat by a home run. He later equalled the franchise record for most pinch hits (46) on October 5 the following year.[1]
Later years
Biittner signed with the Cincinnati Reds on January 12, 1981,[2] becoming the first free agent signed by the franchise.[7] He was limited to just 42 games that year due to the strike.[1][2] He subsequently hit .310 with two home runs and 24 RBIs before being released at the end of the season.[2]
Later in December 1982, the Texas Rangers signed Biittner as a free agent. He played his final major league game on September 29, 1983, at the age of 37. He was ultimately released at the end of the season on October 31, 1983. In 1,217 games over 14 seasons, Biittner posted a .273
Personal life
Biittner married Ann Janette Cleal in 1968. They met when he was a college sophomore and she a high school senior. Together, they had two children: Thomas and Robert. They divorced in 1989.[1]
After retiring from professional baseball, Biitner became a
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Skelton, David E. "Larry Biittner". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Larry Biittner Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ "Larry Biittner Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ "July 17, 1970 California Angels at Washington Senators Box Score Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 17, 1970. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ "Jarvis is traded," United Press International (UPI), Saturday, December 22, 1973. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
- ^ "July 4, 1977 Montreal Expos at Chicago Cubs Box Score Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 4, 1977. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Reds Sign Larry Biitner, Team's First Free Agent". The New York Times. United Press International. January 9, 1981. p. A17. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Birch, Tommy (January 3, 2022). "Iowa native Larry Biittner, who played 14 seasons in the MLB, dies at 75". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ Stebbins, Tim (January 3, 2022). "Cubs mourn loss of Larry Biittner". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet