Al Lary
Encyclopedia
Alfred Allen Lary was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He had an outstanding college football
career at the University of Alabama
, but signed with the Chicago Cubs
as an amateur free agent before the 1951 season. He played for the Cubs in 1954, 1955, and 1962.
Lary made his Major League debut on September 25, 1954 in a start against the Cincinnati Redlegs
at Wrigley Field
. The opposing pitcher was Art Fowler
. Lary pitched six innings
and allowed two earned runs, receiving no decision in the 4-2 Cubs victory. He was with the Cubs briefly in 1955 and was used in four games, all as a pinch runner
. It would be seven years before he reached the Major League level again.
Lary gave up Willie Mays
' 324th career home run
, a grand slam
, in Candlestick Park on April 28, 1962. His career totals for 29 games (16 as a pitcher) include a record of 0-1, 4 games started
, 4 games finished
, and an ERA
of 6.52. In 40 innings pitched
he struck out 22, walked 22, and allowed 45 hits
.
Lary died by accidental drowning in his hometown of Northport, Alabama
at the age of 72. He was the older brother of All-Star
pitcher Frank Lary
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He had an outstanding college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
career at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, but signed with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
as an amateur free agent before the 1951 season. He played for the Cubs in 1954, 1955, and 1962.
Lary made his Major League debut on September 25, 1954 in a start against the Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. The opposing pitcher was Art Fowler
Art Fowler
John Arthur Fowler was an American pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. The 5'11", 180 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1944 season...
. Lary pitched six innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
and allowed two earned runs, receiving no decision in the 4-2 Cubs victory. He was with the Cubs briefly in 1955 and was used in four games, all as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
. It would be seven years before he reached the Major League level again.
Lary gave up Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
' 324th career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
, in Candlestick Park on April 28, 1962. His career totals for 29 games (16 as a pitcher) include a record of 0-1, 4 games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
, 4 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, and an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 6.52. In 40 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
he struck out 22, walked 22, and allowed 45 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
.
Lary died by accidental drowning in his hometown of Northport, Alabama
Northport, Alabama
Northport is a city in Tuscaloosa County in the west central part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Located on the Black Warrior River across from downtown Tuscaloosa, it is currently the 24th largest city in Alabama with an estimated population of 23,442 in 2009...
at the age of 72. He was the older brother of All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
pitcher Frank Lary
Frank Lary
Frank Strong Lary is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , New York Mets , Milwaukee Braves , and Chicago White Sox . He led the American League with 21 wins in 1956 and ranked second in the same category with 23 wins in 1961...
.