Larry Christenson, Who Made MLB History as Teenage Debut Winner, Dies at 72
Larry Christenson, who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1973 to 1983 and was part of the 1980 World Series championship team, has died at age 72. He holds the distinction of being the last teenage pitcher in Major League Baseball to record a complete-game victory in his first career start.
Christenson spent his entire major league career with Philadelphia, taking the mound for the Phillies across eleven seasons from 1973 through 1983. His debut as a teenager resulted in a complete-game victory, a feat that remains unmatched by any younger pitcher in the majors since that time.
Beyond that historic first start, Christenson contributed to the franchise's pinnacle achievement when the Phillies claimed the 1980 World Series championship. He was 72 years old at the time of his death, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of baseball's most celebrated teams.
His passing could prompt renewed attention to the rarity of teenage pitchers succeeding at the major league level, a phenomenon far less common in today's game. Phillies fans and baseball historians may reflect on his role in the 1980 title run, and younger audiences might gain awareness of his unique debut through obituaries and retrospectives.