Larry Dierker

Lawrence Edward Dierker (born September 22, 1946) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, manager, and broadcaster. During a 14-year baseball career as a pitcher, he pitched from 1964 to 1977 for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals.

After many years as a broadcaster for the Astros, he was hired to manage the team in 1997, managing them for five seasons. He was the first Astro manager to lead the team to three consecutive playoff seasons (all through winning the Central division), and in total, he led the Astros to four division titles in five years until he stepped down in 2001.

Dierker was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles in California. The Dierkers lived in Reseda near the San Fernando Valley before moving to Woodland Hills (a neighborhood of Los Angeles) when Dierker was in the 7th grade. He honed his baseball in the West Valley Little League before playing on the varsity team of Taft High School. Dierker had a good arm in high school, although he had a losing record as a pitcher. One scout saw potential in him in Tommy Lasorda, who saw ideal mechanics and arm action that seemed right for the majors rather than giving him a bad report.

He was signed by the Houston Colt.45s at age 17 after winning a bidding war with teams such as the Chicago Cubs to sign him for $55,000. Dierker made his major-league pitching debut on his 18th birthday – and struck out Willie Mays in the first inning. He pitched 2+2⁄3 innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, and three walks while having three strikeouts; he was credited with the loss while starting his career with a 6.75 ERA. He pitched in two other games that season, both being the last pitcher for the team, although they were both in losses. In 1965, he appeared in 26 games while garnering a 7–8 record, a 3.50 ERA, and 109 strikeouts in 146.2 innings. The following year, he went 10–8 with a 3.18 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 29 game appearances and 187 innings pitched. He pitched in just 15 games for the 1967 season, though he went 6–5 with a 3.36 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 99 innings. His 1968 season was not much better as he went 12–15 in 32 games with a 3.31 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 233.2 innings. He pitched the Opening Day game for the Astros that season. He pitched a complete game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing four runs on six hits as the Astros pulled a 5–4 win.

In 1969, he became the Astros' first 20-game winner, while compiling a 2.33 earned run average, 20 complete games and 232 strikeouts over 305 innings. He was elected to the National League All-Star team. He went 16–12 the following season in 37 games with a 3.87 ERA and 191 strikeouts in 269.2 innings pitched. In 1971, he went 12–6 in 24 game appearances while having a 2.72 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 159 innings pitched while being named to the All-Star Game, although an elbow injury ended his season after August. In 1972, he went 15–8 while having a 3.40 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 31 game appearances and 214.2 innings. He appeared in 14 games in 1973 due to an injury to his shoulder, going 1–1 while having a 4.33 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 27 innings. Dierker toiled with rotator cuff injuries for the next couple of years. He rebounded the following year, going 11–10 with a 2.90 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 223.2 innings and 33 games. He went 14–16 the next year while having a 4.00 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 232 innings and 34 games. 1976 was his last full season of play and his last with the Astros. He went 13–14 with a 3.69 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 187.2 innings and 28 games. On July 9 of that year, Dierker no-hit the Montreal Expos 6–0 before 12,511 fans at the Astrodome, recording eight strikeouts along the way. On November 23, 1976, he was traded (along with Jerry DaVanon) to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bob Detherage and Joe Ferguson.

The 1977 season was his last season in baseball. He pitched in 11 games while garnering a 2–6 record with a 4.58 ERA and six strikeouts in 39.1 innings. He garnered his last victory on July 1 with a seven-inning, five-hit performance while allowing only one run in a 3–1 win over the Chicago Cubs. His last appearance was a one-inning performance on October 1 against the New York Mets, walking one on no hits and runs. On March 28, 1978, he was released by the Cardinals.

As of 2023, Dierker is the last 17-year-old to make his major league debut.

On May 19, 2002, the Astros honored Dierker, retiring his No. 49 jersey.