Bob Larmore
Encyclopedia
Robert McKahan "Bob" Larmore (December 6, 1896 – January 15, 1964), known also as "Red" Larmore, was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned three seasons, which included one in Major League Baseball
(MLB) St. Louis Cardinals
(1918). Over his major league career, he batted
.286 with two hits
, and one run batted in
(RBI) in four games played
. He played the majority of his career in the minor leagues
with the Houston Buffaloes
(1918), Houston Buffaloes
(1919), Dallas Marines (1919), Cedar Rapids Rabbits (1920), and Joplin Miners
(1920). He compiled a .248 batting average in the minors with 254 hits
, 33 doubles
, 18 triples
, and nine home run
s in 251 games played. Larmore's MLB career was cut short in 1918 after he enlisted into the United States Navy
to fight in World War I
. He also attended the University of Missouri
after his professional baseball career was over. During his career, he stood at 5 in 10 in (177.8 cm), and weighed 185 pounds (83.9 kg). Larmore batted, and threw right-handed.
Bob Larmore was born in Anderson, Indiana
on December 6, 1896 to parents James, and Maude Larmore of Ohio
, and Indiana
, respectively. Fred G. Larmore owned and operated Larmore Ice Cream Company, which was incorporated in 1918. Bob Larmore attended Central High School
in St. Louis Missouri. In May 1918, while still in high school
, Larmore was signed by the Major League Baseball
(MLB) St. Louis Cardinals
. Before signing with Cardinals' manager
Branch Rickey
, Larmore informed him that he wished to continue attending school. He was the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to be play for a team while still attending high school. Larmore's teachers at school allowed him to leave at noon every day to go to Cardinal Field
. He was intended to be the fill-in at shortstop
for St. Louis, who were absent a player at that position due to an injury to Rogers Hornsby
.
Larmore made his MLB debut as a pinch runner
on May 14, 1918, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies
. His first MLB hit came on May 18, in a game against the Boston Braves
. On June 22, Larmore made his final MLB appearance. On the season with the Cardinals, he batted
.286 with two hits
, and one run batted in
(RBI) in four games played
. Larmore was farmed
out to the minor league
Houston Buffaloes
of the Class-B Texas League
in late-June. With the Houston club, he batted .238 with five hits in eight games. In July, the Texas League suspended its operations due to World War I
. That month, Larmore was re-called to the major leagues. However, he never made an appearance. In August, he enlisted into the United States Navy
to fight in World War I.
with Houston in April 1919. On June 18, he was traded to the Dallas Marines, also of the Texas League, in exchange for Billy Patterson. Between the two clubs, he batted .240 with 124 hits, 20 doubles
, seven triples
, and three home run
s in 110 games played. His last professional baseball season came in 1920. At the start of the season, Larmore played with the Cedar Rapids Rabbits of the Class-B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. With the Rabbits, he batted .266 with 111 hits, 12 doubles, 10 triples, and four home runs in 111 games played. Larmore then joined the Joplin Miners
of the Class-A Western League
. He batted .194 with 14 hits, one double, and one triple in 22 games played.
After his career was over, Larmore enrolled at University of Missouri
, and pledged Beta Theta Pi
. By 1930, he was working as a salesman for his brother's ice cream company. He resided in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife Mary, and their child, Constance. Larmore died on January 15, 1964 in St. Louis. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned three seasons, which included one in Major League Baseball
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...
(MLB) St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1918). Over his major league career, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.286 with two 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....
, and one run batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(RBI) in four games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. He played the majority of his career in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
(1918), Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
(1919), Dallas Marines (1919), Cedar Rapids Rabbits (1920), and Joplin Miners
Joplin Miners
The Joplin Miners were a baseball team that lasted on and off from 1902 to 1953. They played in Joplin, Missouri. Initially, the team was known as the Colts before changing to Miners during the first season of play....
(1920). He compiled a .248 batting average in the minors with 254 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....
, 33 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 18 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and nine 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...
s in 251 games played. Larmore's MLB career was cut short in 1918 after he enlisted into the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to fight in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He also attended the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
after his professional baseball career was over. During his career, he stood at 5 in 10 in (177.8 cm), and weighed 185 pounds (83.9 kg). Larmore batted, and threw right-handed.
Early life, and St. Louis Cardinals
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
on December 6, 1896 to parents James, and Maude Larmore of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, and Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, respectively. Fred G. Larmore owned and operated Larmore Ice Cream Company, which was incorporated in 1918. Bob Larmore attended Central High School
Central VPA High School
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School is a magnet high school in St. Louis, Missouri. As the name implies, Central VPA promotes artistic activity within its student body by offering a variety of art classes such as guitar study, creative writing, music composition, animation, video game...
in St. Louis Missouri. In May 1918, while still in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, Larmore was signed by the Major League Baseball
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...
(MLB) St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Before signing with Cardinals' manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
, Larmore informed him that he wished to continue attending school. He was the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to be play for a team while still attending high school. Larmore's teachers at school allowed him to leave at noon every day to go to Cardinal Field
Robison Field
Robison Field is the best-known of several names given to a former Major League Baseball park in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the home of the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League from April 27, 1893 until June 6, 1920.-History:...
. He was intended to be the fill-in at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for St. Louis, who were absent a player at that position due to an injury to Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
.
Larmore made his MLB debut 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...
on May 14, 1918, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. His first MLB hit came on May 18, in a game against the Boston Braves
Boston Braves
Boston Braves may refer to any of the following American professional sports teams:*Boston Braves , the Major League Baseball team now known as the Atlanta Braves...
. On June 22, Larmore made his final MLB appearance. On the season with the Cardinals, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.286 with two 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....
, and one run batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(RBI) in four games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Larmore was farmed
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
out to the minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
of the Class-B Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in late-June. With the Houston club, he batted .238 with five hits in eight games. In July, the Texas League suspended its operations due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. That month, Larmore was re-called to the major leagues. However, he never made an appearance. In August, he enlisted into the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to fight in World War I.
Minor leagues, and later life
At the start of the 1919 season, the St. Louis Cardinals sold Larmore to the minor league Houston Buffaloes. He reported to spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with Houston in April 1919. On June 18, he was traded to the Dallas Marines, also of the Texas League, in exchange for Billy Patterson. Between the two clubs, he batted .240 with 124 hits, 20 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, seven triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and three 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...
s in 110 games played. His last professional baseball season came in 1920. At the start of the season, Larmore played with the Cedar Rapids Rabbits of the Class-B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. With the Rabbits, he batted .266 with 111 hits, 12 doubles, 10 triples, and four home runs in 111 games played. Larmore then joined the Joplin Miners
Joplin Miners
The Joplin Miners were a baseball team that lasted on and off from 1902 to 1953. They played in Joplin, Missouri. Initially, the team was known as the Colts before changing to Miners during the first season of play....
of the Class-A Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
. He batted .194 with 14 hits, one double, and one triple in 22 games played.
After his career was over, Larmore enrolled at University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, and pledged Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
. By 1930, he was working as a salesman for his brother's ice cream company. He resided in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife Mary, and their child, Constance. Larmore died on January 15, 1964 in St. Louis. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis.