Larry Herndon
Encyclopedia
Larry Darnell Herndon is a former Major League Baseball
player for the St. Louis Cardinals
(1974), San Francisco Giants
(1976–1981), and Detroit Tigers
(1982–1988). Currently, Herndon serves as a coach for the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
He won the 1981 Willie Mac Award
for his spirit and leadership.
Herndon was particularly known for his time with the great Tigers teams of the 1980s. He hit a two-out, two-run home run in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series
against the San Diego Padres
that proved to be the game winner, and also caught the final out of the Series—a fly ball to left field off the bat of Padres star Tony Gwynn
. Three years later, Herndon hit a solo home run on the final day of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays
. It was the only run in a 1–0 Detroit victory over the Blue Jays that clinched the American League East
division title by two games. Herndon retired with the Tigers and served as the team's major league hitting coach.
By hitting a home run in his final at bat on May 17, 1982 and his first three at bats on May 18, 1982, Herndon shares the major-league record for home runs hit in consecutive at bats (four).
During first minor league season on the 1971 Gulf Coast League Cardinals, his fellow rookie and roommate was Randy Poffo, who would later go on to be known as wrestler Randy Savage
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1974), San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1976–1981), and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1982–1988). Currently, Herndon serves as a coach for the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
He won the 1981 Willie Mac Award
Willie Mac Award
The Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. It has been presented annually since 1980. It is awarded to the player on the San Francisco Giants who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership consistently shown by McCovey throughout his long career, voted upon by the players and...
for his spirit and leadership.
Herndon was particularly known for his time with the great Tigers teams of the 1980s. He hit a two-out, two-run home run in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
that proved to be the game winner, and also caught the final out of the Series—a fly ball to left field off the bat of Padres star Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
. Three years later, Herndon hit a solo home run on the final day of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. It was the only run in a 1–0 Detroit victory over the Blue Jays that clinched the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
division title by two games. Herndon retired with the Tigers and served as the team's major league hitting coach.
By hitting a home run in his final at bat on May 17, 1982 and his first three at bats on May 18, 1982, Herndon shares the major-league record for home runs hit in consecutive at bats (four).
During first minor league season on the 1971 Gulf Coast League Cardinals, his fellow rookie and roommate was Randy Poffo, who would later go on to be known as wrestler Randy Savage
Randy Savage
Randall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a...
.