Player Profile: Larry Andersen

I have 39 Larry Andersen cards. This one is from 1987 Fleer.

Playing career: Larry Andersen is best known for being traded by the Astros to the Red Sox even up for Jeff Bagwell in 1990, generally considered one of the most lopsided trades of all time. This obscures the fact that he was actually one of the best middle relievers of the 1980s and early 1990s. In seventeen seasons he had a 3.15 ERA.

My memories: I remember him being more well known for his practical jokes, another factor in how the fact that he was a very good reliever was obscured.

Interesting stories: Best known for his practical jokes (most famously the “Mr. Jello” incident) and his belching ability. Nolan Ryan said his fondest memory in baseball was seeing Andersen belch the National Anthem. You can read a bunch of funny Andersen stories in this 1992 LA Times article.

Where he is now: He’s been a Phillies broadcaster since 1998, replacing the late Richie Ashburn.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Larry Anderse, between Larry Anderson, an actor who was on Knight Rider and Mork & Mindy, and Larry Anderson Snug Harbor, referring to the Director of Performing Arts at the Staten Island cultural center. Another prominent Larry Andersen is the Lead Copywriter for Online Content at Sears Holdings.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Allan Anderson.