100 Greatest Phillies: 53 – Larry Christenson
Starting Pitcher
1973-1983
Career w/Phillies: 1402.2 IP / 83-71 / 3.79 ERA / 781 K
For much of his 11 seasons, Christenson was a stalwart in the Phillies pitching staff. Very young when he entered the majors, he recorded his first win at age 19. He hit his peak very early, too, going 13-14 with a 3.24 ERA at age 24. But injuries did Christenson in, especially with his elbow. He required a few surgeries on the elbow — a true case of a pitcher who was overworked too young and never found a roll. But for a few seasons in the late 1970s, Christenson was a very solid arm. He went 5-1 for the 1980 Phillies, getting a start in game four of the World Series, but was knocked out early. He went 9-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 1982, but again had elbow surgery, ending his career for good. Though Christenson’s career ended 26 years ago, he is just nine years older than current Phillie Jamie Moyer.
Comment: Talk about a young flash. Christenson was a good pitcher, but had too many arm problems and cut his career achingly short. He retired before his 30th birthday.
