Larry Acker

Larry Scott Acker

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• School Manatee Community College
• High School Saegertown High School
• Born October 4, 1960 in Meadville, PA USA

BR minors page

Biographical information

Larry Acker is a former minor league baseball pitcher who played from 1980 to 1988 in the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals systems.

Drafted by the Pirates in the 37th round (805th overall) of the 1980 draft (the signing scouts were Murray Cook and John Neiter), Acker pitched poorly in his first year of professional baseball. He was used both as a reliever and starter in 1980, splitting time between the GCL Pirates and Shelby Pirates. In 14 games combined - five of which he started - Acker went 1-3 with a 5.55 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 47 innings of work.

1981 was even worse for him. He spent time with the Greenwood Pirates and Alexandria Dukes, playing in a total of 15 games. In 19 innings of work, he went 0-2 with a 6.63 ERA and 14 strikeouts.

For Greenwood in 1982, he was used entirely as a starter, going 7-15 with a 3.62 ERA in 26 appearances. Despite his poor record, he had one of the lowest ERAs on the entire pitching staff. He was also second on the team in strikeouts, with his 115 trailing only Dorn Taylor and his 133.

Following the 1982 season he was sent to the Astros in an unknown transaction.

He had an impressive year in 1983, ERA-wise. Pitching for the Asheville Tourists and Columbus Astros, he posted a combined ERA of 2.98, to compliment a 4-2 record.

While pitching for Columbus in 1984, he had his best season in terms of his record. In 28 games, he went 15-8 with eight complete games and a 3.54 ERA. He led the team in wins and tied with Mike Hogan for the team lead in complete games. He was also second on the team in strikeouts, with his 81 being outpaced only by Charlie Kerfeld's 118.

In 1985, he really slumped. Pitching for the Tucson Toros, he posted a 10-12 record with a 5.65 ERA in 170 innings of work. Again, he was second on the team in strikeouts, with his 80 trailing Kerfeld's 123.

Used entirely as a reliever in 1986, Acker made 46 appearances, posting a 3-3 record with a 4.83 ERA and six saves in 54 innings of work.

Following the 1986 season, he was sent to the White Sox in an unknown transaction.

He was used as both a starter and reliever for the Birmingham Barons and Memphis Chicks in 1987 (he had been sent to the Royals in an unknown transaction sometime in 1987). Combined he went 8-10 with a 5.09 ERA in 36 games, 13 of which he started.

1988 was his final year in professional baseball. Pitching for both Memphis and the Omaha Royals, he went a combined 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 106 innings of work.

Overall, Acker went 50-59 in 256 appearances, 112 of which were starts. He completed 19 games, shutout one, and saved 12. In 971 2/3 innings, he gave up 1101 hits, 562 runs and 475 earned runs for a 4.40 ERA. He walked 330 batters and struck out 504.

At last check, Acker lived in Erie, PA.

Sources

• The Baseball Cube