Larry Jansen
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Joseph Jansen was an American
right-handed pitcher
and coach
in Major League Baseball
. A native of Oregon
, he played minor league baseball in the early 1940s before starting his Major League career in 1947 with the New York Giants. Jansen played nine seasons in the big leagues, and was twice an All-Star
, winning 122 games in all. He later coached in the Major Leagues and minor leagues, and is a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
.
in Washington County
where he graduated from Verboort High School in 1938. While still in school Jansen started his baseball career playing semi-pro ball, but in 1940 was discovered by a scout and started playing for the Salt Lake City Bees, a Class C club at that time. Jansen married the former Eileen Vandehey that year, and they had 10 children. In 1941, he started playing for the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League
, and except for 1942 and 1943 he remained until 1946. World War II
canceled those two seasons, during which Jansen returned to the semi-pro level in Oregon where he also worked on the family dairy farm.
starting rotation from 1947–53, twice winning more than 20 games. He was purchased from the San Francisco Seals of the AAA Pacific Coast League after leading that league in wins (30), earned run average
(1.57) and winning percentage
(.833) in 1946. In his rookie major league season in , Jansen won 21 of 26 decisions, leading the National League
in winning percentage (.808). He finished second in the voting for Rookie of the Year behind the Dodger's Jackie Robinson
.
In , he paced the NL champion Giants with 23 victories and helped lead their improbable August and September comeback against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jansen was the winning pitcher in the famous game on October 3, 1951, featuring the Shot Heard 'Round the World. Jansen, however, lost his only two decisions in the 1951 World Series
. Jansen also won 19 games (1950) and 18 games (1948) for the New York club.
As a sign of the low salaries of even accomplished players in the mid twentieth century, Jansen worked in a pharmacy in Jackson Heights, NY during the off seasons of his best years.
Arm miseries kept Jansen from a major role in the Giants' world championship
; indeed, he spent part of that season inactive, as a coach. His playing career ended after eight appearances with the 1956 Cincinnati Reds
. During his nine-year NL career, Jansen won 122 games and lost 89 (.578) with an ERA of 3.58.
After coaching and managing in the Pacific Coast League with Portland
and Seattle
, Jansen returned to the Giants, now based in San Francisco, as pitching coach in . During his eleven seasons in that capacity, he helped develop future Hall-of-Famers
Juan Marichal
and Gaylord Perry
, and the ballclub made appearances in the 1962 World Series
and 1971 National League Championship Series
. He then moved on to his final MLB coaching job, handling pitchers for the Chicago Cubs
in -73
, working for his old Giants manager, Leo Durocher
, and then his former teammate, Whitey Lockman
.
where he sold real estate. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
in 1980. Lawrence Jansen died in his sleep in his hometown of Verboort at the age of 89 on October 10, 2009. The cause of death was congestive heart failure and pneumonia
.
In retirement, Larry Jansen (along with his co-author, George Jansen MD and illustrator Karl van Loo), left behind in book form his accumulated wisdom on every aspect of pitching in professional baseball: "The Craft of Pitching" (Masters Press, 1977).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
in Major League Baseball
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...
. A native of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, he played minor league baseball in the early 1940s before starting his Major League career in 1947 with the New York Giants. Jansen played nine seasons in the big leagues, and was twice an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, winning 122 games in all. He later coached in the Major Leagues and minor leagues, and is a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame honors Oregon athletes, teams, coaches, and others who have made a significant contribution to sports in Oregon. The first class was inducted in 1980, with new inductees added in the fall...
.
Early life
Lawrence Jansen was born in Verboort, Oregon, on July 16, 1920. He was raised in the community of Verboort located near Forest GroveForest Grove, Oregon
Forest Grove is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States, west of Portland. Originally a small farm town, it is now primarily a bedroom suburb of Portland. Settled in the 1840s, the town was platted in 1850 and then incorporated in 1872 and was the first city in Washington County...
in Washington County
Washington County, Oregon
- Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:...
where he graduated from Verboort High School in 1938. While still in school Jansen started his baseball career playing semi-pro ball, but in 1940 was discovered by a scout and started playing for the Salt Lake City Bees, a Class C club at that time. Jansen married the former Eileen Vandehey that year, and they had 10 children. In 1941, he started playing for the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, and except for 1942 and 1943 he remained until 1946. World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
canceled those two seasons, during which Jansen returned to the semi-pro level in Oregon where he also worked on the family dairy farm.
MLB career
Jansen was a key member of the New York 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....
starting rotation from 1947–53, twice winning more than 20 games. He was purchased from the San Francisco Seals of the AAA Pacific Coast League after leading that league in wins (30), earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(1.57) and winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
(.833) in 1946. In his rookie major league season in , Jansen won 21 of 26 decisions, leading the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in winning percentage (.808). He finished second in the voting for Rookie of the Year behind the Dodger's Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
.
In , he paced the NL champion Giants with 23 victories and helped lead their improbable August and September comeback against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jansen was the winning pitcher in the famous game on October 3, 1951, featuring the Shot Heard 'Round the World. Jansen, however, lost his only two decisions in the 1951 World Series
1951 World Series
The 1951 World Series matched the two-time defending champion New York Yankees against the New York Giants, who had won the National League pennant in a thrilling three-game playoff with the Brooklyn Dodgers on the legendary home run by Bobby Thomson .In the Series, the Yankees showed some power of...
. Jansen also won 19 games (1950) and 18 games (1948) for the New York club.
As a sign of the low salaries of even accomplished players in the mid twentieth century, Jansen worked in a pharmacy in Jackson Heights, NY during the off seasons of his best years.
Arm miseries kept Jansen from a major role in the Giants' world championship
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
; indeed, he spent part of that season inactive, as a coach. His playing career ended after eight appearances with the 1956 Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. During his nine-year NL career, Jansen won 122 games and lost 89 (.578) with an ERA of 3.58.
After coaching and managing in the Pacific Coast League with Portland
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
and Seattle
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
, Jansen returned to the Giants, now based in San Francisco, as pitching coach in . During his eleven seasons in that capacity, he helped develop future Hall-of-Famers
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Juan Marichal
Juan Marichal
Juan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
and Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
, and the ballclub made appearances in the 1962 World Series
1962 World Series
The 1962 World Series matched the defending American League and World Series champions New York Yankees against the National League champion San Francisco Giants, who had won their first NL pennant since 1954 and first since moving from New York in 1958, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a...
and 1971 National League Championship Series
1971 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 2, 1971 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CaliforniaWith aces Gaylord Perry and Steve Blass taking the mound for their respective teams, Game 1 looked to be a pitchers duel. It sort of was for four innings; the Pirates struck for two in the top of the third when Dave...
. He then moved on to his final MLB coaching job, handling pitchers for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in -73
1973 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over New York Mets ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 24 at Royals Stadium: National League, 7–1; Bobby Bonds, MVP-Other champions:...
, working for his old Giants manager, Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
, and then his former teammate, Whitey Lockman
Whitey Lockman
Carroll Walter "Whitey" Lockman was a player, coach, manager and front office executive in American Major League Baseball.-Role in miraculous 1951 comeback:...
.
Later life and death
After retiring from baseball, he returned to OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
where he sold real estate. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame honors Oregon athletes, teams, coaches, and others who have made a significant contribution to sports in Oregon. The first class was inducted in 1980, with new inductees added in the fall...
in 1980. Lawrence Jansen died in his sleep in his hometown of Verboort at the age of 89 on October 10, 2009. The cause of death was congestive heart failure and pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
.
In retirement, Larry Jansen (along with his co-author, George Jansen MD and illustrator Karl van Loo), left behind in book form his accumulated wisdom on every aspect of pitching in professional baseball: "The Craft of Pitching" (Masters Press, 1977).
See also
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins