TTM Stats
- Sent: 7/8/2022 | Received: 7/25/2022 | 17 Days
- ’75 Topps, ’76 Topps, ’82 Fleer
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Larry Christenson, affectionately known as “L.C.,” carved out a notable career as a right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1970s and early 1980s. Born on November 10, 1953, in Everett, Washington, Christenson’s athletic prowess was evident early on, leading him from the Pacific Northwest to the pinnacle of Major League Baseball.
Christenson attended Marysville High School in Marysville, Washington, where he excelled in multiple sports, including baseball and basketball. As a senior, he posted an impressive 0.28 ERA, striking out 143 batters in 72 innings. His performances attracted significant attention, with up to 50 scouts attending his games. Opting to pursue baseball professionally, he was selected third overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1972 MLB Draft, just a day after graduating high school.
Christenson made his MLB debut on April 13, 1973, at the age of 19, pitching a complete game victory against the New York Mets. At the time, he was the youngest player in the majors.
Over his 11-season career, all with the Phillies, Christenson compiled an 83–71 win-loss record, a 3.79 ERA, and 781 strikeouts over 1,402.2 innings pitched. His best season came in 1977, when he achieved a 19–6 record, winning 15 of his last 16 decisions.
Christenson was a key contributor to the Phillies’ success in the late 1970s, helping the team secure three consecutive National League East Division titles from 1976 to 1978. In 1980, despite battling injuries, he finished the season 5–1 and was part of the Phillies’ World Series championship team.
Notably, Christenson was also a competent hitter for a pitcher, recording 11 career home runs, tying him with Rick Wise for the most by a pitcher in Phillies history.
However, his career was marred by injuries, including multiple elbow surgeries and a broken collarbone sustained during a charity bicycle ride in 1979. These setbacks ultimately led to his retirement in 1983 at the age of 29.
Following his baseball career, Christenson transitioned into the financial sector. He began working with Prudential Securities in 1986 and later founded Christenson Investment Partners, based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. His firm has grown into a national powerhouse in investment consulting.
Christenson remains active in charitable endeavors, supporting causes related to multiple sclerosis, leukemia, heart disease, and diabetes. He also maintains strong ties to the Phillies organization and resides in the Philadelphia area.
While Christenson may not have achieved Hall of Fame status, his contributions to the Phillies during a transformative era for the franchise are noteworthy. His resilience in the face of injuries and successful post-baseball career serve as an inspiration to many.
From a high school standout in Washington to a World Series champion with the Phillies, Larry Christenson’s journey through baseball and beyond exemplifies dedication, adaptability, and perseverance.
The Score on Larry Christenson – 7.5
Larry has to have one of the best signatures in the TTM game. Not only does it look sufficiently fancy and cool, but I think even more importantly it fills up the card really well. I think the best one of this return is the 1982 Fleer card.
Thanks Mr. Christenson! I’m giving this return a 7.5 overall.
This isn’t my first return from him. To see the other returns, check out these posts:
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.