Larry Drake

Larry Francis Drake

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1½", Weight 195 lb.
• School Baylor University
• Debut July 20, 1945
• Final Game September 10, 1948
• Born May 4, 1921 in McKinney, TX USA
• Died July 14, 1985 in Houston, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Texas native Larry Drake spent eight seasons in professional baseball from 1941 to 1949. The outfielder had two short trials in the Major Leagues. He was with the Philadelphia Athletics for one game in 1945, going hitless in two at-bats. Drake also was given a short look by the Washington Senators in 1948, appearing in four games with seven at-bats, two base-hits and one RBI for a .286 batting average.

Larry spent the rest of his pro career in the minor leagues. He had three very good years. The first in 1946 with the Sherman Twins of the Class C East Texas League, when he hit .286 with 26 homers. He was second in the league in homers, four behind Frank Sacka. He then had his most productive year (not adjusting for league) with the Sherman-Denison Twins in 1947 he hit for a .339 average with 40 round-trippers. The numbers are not quite as impressive when you consider the high-scoring Big State League context - he tied for third in dingers, 18 back of leader Buck Frierson. He backed that up with a trip to the AA Southern Association and the Chattanooga Lookouts, hitting .283 with 30 home runs in 1948. He was third in the circuit in circuit clouts, behind Chuck Workman and Charlie Gilbert. Larry ended his minor league career in 1949 having appeared in 879 games, hitting at a .279 average with 138 home runs.

After baseball, Larry became a division manager of the Western Company of North America. Drake died on July 14, 1985 at his home in Houston, TX. He was 64 years of age.