Larry Parrish
Encyclopedia
Larry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball
third baseman
and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos
(1974–81), Texas Rangers
(1982–88) and Boston Red Sox
(1988). He also played two seasons in Japan, for the Yakult Swallows
(1989) and the Hanshin Tigers
(1990).
s in a season five times during his major league career. He was a two-time All-Star, and in 1979 was named the Montreal Expos
Player of the Year after batting .307 with 30 homers and 82 runs batted in. Parrish ranks seventh on the Texas Rangers
all-time home run list (149) and eighth in RBIs at 522. He closed out his American Major League career by joining the Boston Red Sox
during the stretch run of the 1988 season, in which the team won the American League Eastern Division championship.
After his Major League Baseball career ended, Parrish played for two different Japanese major league teams. Parrish had a career .263 batting average in Major League Baseball
with 256 home runs and 992 runs batted in. In 13 career playoff games, he batted .182 with no home runs and three RBI.
and Hanshin Tigers
of the Japanese Central League
, Parrish became a full-time coach within the Detroit Tigers
organization. In , Parrish was named the manager for the Single-A Niagara Falls
of the New York - Penn League
, and won the League Championship in . In he was named the roving hitting instructor for the Tigers minor league system. In , he returned to the dugout as the manager of the Double-A Jacksonville Suns
, where he won another League Championship the same year. Parrish then served as bench coach under manager Buddy Bell
for the season and part of the before Bell was fired. Parrish was promoted as the replacement, and managed
the Tigers from 1998–99, compiling an 82-104 record, but was replaced by Phil Garner
for the season. Parrish managed the Tigers through their final season at Tiger Stadium. Parrish remained in the Tigers organization as a scout
from 2000–2002, and in he returned to the dugout
once again as the manager for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
of the International League
.
In , Parrish managed the Mud Hens to an impressive 89-55 record and the Governors' Cup
as champions of the International League. The Mud Hens defeated the Indianapolis Indians
. As a result, Parrish was named the 2005 Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News
.
In , Parrish led the Mud Hens to a 76-66 record and a repeat of the Governor's Cup, giving the Mud Hens their third title and making them back to back champions for the first time in team history. This time, the Mud Hens defeated the Rochester Red Wings
. The team moved on to play in the Triple-A World Series, in Oklahoma City
, where they would take on the Tucson Sidewinders
of the Pacific Coast League
. The Mud Hens fell to the Sidewinders by a score of 5-2. It was the first time the Triple-A World Series had been played since 2000.
On October 29, 2010, it was announced that Parrish would become the hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves
, replacing Terry Pendleton
, who was moved to first base coach. After the Braves offense went from first in the National League
in On-base percentage in 2010 to fourteenth in 2011 with roughly the same lineup, Braves general manager Frank Wren
announced on September 30, 2011 that Parrish would not return to his duties for the 2012 season
.
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...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
(1974–81), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1982–88) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1988). He also played two seasons in Japan, for the Yakult Swallows
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
is a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League.The Swallows are named after their corporate owners, the Yakult Corporation. From 1950 to 1965, the team was owned by the former Japanese National Railways and called the Kokutetsu Swallows; the team was then owned by the newspaper Sankei...
(1989) and the Hanshin Tigers
Hanshin Tigers
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are in the Central League. Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., the subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., owns the Hanshin Tigers directly...
(1990).
Playing career
Making his debut in 1974 at the age of 20, Parrish became a solid hitter as a third baseman in the 1970s and 1980s, hitting 20 or more home runHome run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in a season five times during his major league career. He was a two-time All-Star, and in 1979 was named the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
Player of the Year after batting .307 with 30 homers and 82 runs batted in. Parrish ranks seventh on the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
all-time home run list (149) and eighth in RBIs at 522. He closed out his American Major League career by joining the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
during the stretch run of the 1988 season, in which the team won the American League Eastern Division championship.
After his Major League Baseball career ended, Parrish played for two different Japanese major league teams. Parrish had a career .263 batting average 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...
with 256 home runs and 992 runs batted in. In 13 career playoff games, he batted .182 with no home runs and three RBI.
Coaching career
After retiring from the majors and spending time playing for the Yakult SwallowsTokyo Yakult Swallows
is a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League.The Swallows are named after their corporate owners, the Yakult Corporation. From 1950 to 1965, the team was owned by the former Japanese National Railways and called the Kokutetsu Swallows; the team was then owned by the newspaper Sankei...
and Hanshin Tigers
Hanshin Tigers
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are in the Central League. Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., the subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., owns the Hanshin Tigers directly...
of the Japanese Central League
Central League
The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League...
, Parrish became a full-time coach within the 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...
organization. In , Parrish was named the manager for the Single-A Niagara Falls
New York - Penn League
The New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
of the New York - Penn League
New York - Penn League
The New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
, and won the League Championship in . In he was named the roving hitting instructor for the Tigers minor league system. In , he returned to the dugout as the manager of the Double-A Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
, where he won another League Championship the same year. Parrish then served as bench coach under manager Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
for the season and part of the before Bell was fired. Parrish was promoted as the replacement, and managed
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
the Tigers from 1998–99, compiling an 82-104 record, but was replaced by Phil Garner
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
for the season. Parrish managed the Tigers through their final season at Tiger Stadium. Parrish remained in the Tigers organization as a scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
from 2000–2002, and in he returned to the dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
once again as the manager for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
.
In , Parrish managed the Mud Hens to an impressive 89-55 record and the Governors' Cup
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
as champions of the International League. The Mud Hens defeated the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. As a result, Parrish was named the 2005 Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
.
In , Parrish led the Mud Hens to a 76-66 record and a repeat of the Governor's Cup, giving the Mud Hens their third title and making them back to back champions for the first time in team history. This time, the Mud Hens defeated the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. The team moved on to play in the Triple-A World Series, in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, where they would take on the Tucson Sidewinders
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
of 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...
. The Mud Hens fell to the Sidewinders by a score of 5-2. It was the first time the Triple-A World Series had been played since 2000.
On October 29, 2010, it was announced that Parrish would become the hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, replacing Terry Pendleton
Terry Pendleton
Terry Lee Pendleton is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas...
, who was moved to first base coach. After the Braves offense went from first in 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 On-base percentage in 2010 to fourteenth in 2011 with roughly the same lineup, Braves general manager Frank Wren
Frank Wren
Franklin E. Wren is an American front office executive in Major League Baseball. Since the end of the baseball season, he has been the general manager of the Atlanta Braves....
announced on September 30, 2011 that Parrish would not return to his duties for the 2012 season
2012 Atlanta Braves season
The 2012 Atlanta Braves season is the Braves' 16th season of home games at Turner Field, 47th season in Atlanta, and 137th season of the franchise...
.
Highlights
- Two-time All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe 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...
(1979, 1987) - Hit three grand slams in a week (July 4, 7, and 10, 1982), tying the MLB record set by Jim Northrup
- Compiled four career three-home run games, including one instance where the home runs came on consecutive bats (July 30, 1978), and is one of only eight players to accomplish the feat in both leagues (Babe RuthBabe RuthGeorge Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, Johnny MizeJohnny MizeJohn Robert "Johnny" Mize was a baseball player who was a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees...
, Dave KingmanDave KingmanDavid Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
, Cory SnyderCory SnyderJames Cory Snyder is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1986 to 1994. Snyder's best season came in 1987 with the Indians when he hit 33 home runs and had 82 runs batted in...
, Darnell ColesDarnell ColesDarnell Coles is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball player who played primarily as a third baseman and outfielder from to...
, Claudell WashingtonClaudell WashingtonClaudell Washington is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Oakland Athletics , Texas Rangers , Chicago White Sox , New York Mets , Atlanta Braves , New York Yankees and California Angels...
and Darryl StrawberryDarryl StrawberryDarryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
are the others) - Four league championships as manager:
- 1993 (Niagara Falls of the New York - Penn League)
- 1996 (Jacksonville Suns of the Southern League)
- 2005 and 2006 (Toledo Mud Hens of the International League)