Larry Bearnarth

Lawrence Donald (Larry) Bearnarth (September 11 1941 – January 1 2000) was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets (1963-66) and Milwaukee Brewers (1971). Bearnarth batted and threw right-handed. He was born in New York, NY.

In a five-season career, Bearnarth posted a 13-21 record with a 4.13 ERA and eight saves in 173 games pitched.

Bearnarth was signed by the New York Mets in 1962 after he graduated from St. John's University with a degree in English literature. He went directly to Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs of the International League. A year later, he started his major league career for the horrible Mets, a team coming off a disappointing 40-120 record in his inaugural season. Despite his 3-8 record in his rookie year Bearnarth maintained a 3.46 ERA in a career-high 126.1 innings pitched. The next three seasons he divided his playing time between the Mets and Triple-A Buffalo and Jacksonville.

From 1967-70 Bearnarth pitched in Triple-A with Jacksonville (1967-68) and Tidewater. In 1971 he was signed as a free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers, retiring at the end of the season. Following his playing career, he became a successfully pitching coach.

Bearnarth coached for the Montreal Expos between 1985 and 1991. Under his guidance, the team's ERA never was higher than 3.92 (in 1986), including the best ERA in Expos' history, at 3.08 (1988), and a 3.37 National League lead (1990).

In 1993 Bearnarth became the first pitching coach in Colorado Rockies history, continuing in the charge until 1995. After that, he scouted during four seasons for the Detroit Tigers (1996-99).

Bearnarth died in St. Petersburg, Fl, following a heart attack at age 58.

External links

*baseball-reference|id=b/bearnla01
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Bearnarth_Larry.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.historicbaseball.com/players/b/bearnarth_larry.html Historic Baseball]