Larry French. Spring training at Catalina Island, California - 1938.

Larry French Stats & Facts

Player

Larry French

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Left
6-1, 195lb (185cm, 88kg)
Born: November 1, 1907 in Visalia, CA us
Died: February 9, 1987  in San Diego, CA
Buried: Visalia Cemetery, Visalia, CA
High School: Visalia HS (Visalia, CA)
Debut: April 18, 1929 (6,882nd in major league history)
vs. CHC 4.0 IP, 4 H, 4 SO, 3 BB, 3 ER
Last Game: September 26, 1942
vs. PHI 2.0 IP, 7 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 1 ER, W
Full Name: Lawrence Herbert French
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject

Nine Players Who Debuted in 1929

Rick Ferrell
Doc Cramer
Earl Averill
Bobo Newsom
Larry French
Chief Hogsett
Dale Alexander
Lyn Lary
Eric McNair

 

All-Time Teammate Team

Coming Soon

 

Notable Events and Chronology

 

Biography

In the 1930s, only Carl Hubbell worked more innings than Larry French’s 2,481. The rugged lefthander appeared in more than 40 games seven straight years, beginning with a league-high 47 in 1932. He led the NL in starts the next season, his third straight as league leader in hits allowed.

French recorded 40 career shutouts, leading the NL in 1935 and 1936, his first two seasons with the Cubs. He ignited Chicago’s 21-game winning streak to capture the 1935 NL pennant, winning five in that stretch. He won 18 games three times, and lost 19 for the 1938 Cubs. French finished his career brilliantly, leading the NL in winning percentage for the 1942 Dodgers (15-4, .789). He joined the Navy in 1943, retiring in 1969 as a captain.

 

Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts

Splitting his time almost evenly between the Pirates and Cubs, lefty Larry French pitched in three World Series in the 1930s and early 1940s, the last with the Dodgers during a brief stint in Brooklyn. Utilizing a sharp breaking ball in addition to a sinker, the tall Californian won at least 10 games in 12 seasons, but never more than 18, which he accomplished three times. He led the National League in shutouts in both 1935 and 1936.

Quotes About Larry French

“He has a high fast one that those top left-handed hitters will smack. I don’t think he will give the Tigers as much trouble as a right-hander [would].” — Cardinals vice-president Branch Rickey, giving his scouting report on Larry French, prior to Game Six of the 1935 World Series.

Teams Larry French Played For

Pittsburgh Pirates (1929-1934)
Chicago Cubs (1935-1941)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1941-1942)

Best Season: 1933
With a 18-13 hardluck record, French posted a 2.72 ERA and walked just 55 batters in nearly 300 innings. He tossed five shutouts.

Post-Season Appearances
1935 World Series
1938 World Series
1941 World Series

 

Transactions
November 22, 1934: Traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with Freddie Lindstrom to the Chicago Cubs for Guy Bush, Jim Weaver, and Babe Herman.

This trade proved to be an absolute bust for the Pirates. Bush, a former 20-game winner, won just 12 games in parts of two seasons with the Bucs, while Herman played just 26 games for Pittsburgh before he was traded away. Jim Weaver, a veteran rescued from the scrap heap, went 14-8 twice for the Pirates, but was finished within three seasons. French went on to win 95 games for the Cubs.

August 20, 1941: Selected off waivers by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Chicago Cubs.

All-Star Selections
1940 NL

Best Strength as a Player
Control

Largest Weakness as a Player
He was famous for a notoriously bad move to first, and he was a mediocre fielder.

 

Other Resources & Links

 

More French Pages

Larry French Overview

Minor Lg Stats

If you would like to add a link or add information for player pages, please contact us here.