Larry Burchart

Larry Wayne Burchart

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
• School Oklahoma State University
• Debut April 10, 1969
• Final Game September 30, 1969
• Born February 8, 1946 in Tulsa, OK USA

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Biographical Information

Larry Burchart pitched 29 games in relief for the Cleveland Indians at age 23 in 1969, with an ERA of 4.25. The Indians that year also featured Sam McDowell and Luis Tiant.

Larry was born in Tulsa, OK and attended Oklahoma State University at a time when the baseball team there was quite good. According to Larry, the team finished second in the College World Series his sophomore year, 1966 and fifth in his junior year, 1967.

He was sought after by big league teams, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1967. He looked great in the rookie league, putting up a 1.95 ERA and a 9-1 record for the Ogden Dodgers managed by Tommy Lasorda. The following year, 1968, he was jumped up to AA level with the Albuquerque Dodgers, for whom he appeared in 21 games, mostly in relief, with a 5.09 ERA. His manager was Roger Craig, and the team's ERA was 4.05. His teammate Charlie Hough had an ERA of 3.94 but Burchart had a better WHIP.

Larry was drafted away from the Dodgers by the Indians in the 1968 Rule V Draft, and played the next season with Cleveland. During that year, he had a serious injury resulting from a collision with George Scott. For his last two years in pro ball, he pitched in the Cleveland organization for the Wichita Aeros, managed both years by Ken Aspromonte. He had arm problems in 1971.

Larry also pitched in the Puerto Rico winter league and threw a no-hitter there.

His son Kyle Burchart also played in the minors.

After baseball he became a banker.

Main source: Seamheads interviews Larry Burchart