A native of Alabama, Lary pitched for the Tigers from 1954-1964, making two All-Star games and winning a Gold Glove.
Frank Lary, who won 123 games for the Detroit Tigers over 11 seasons, died Wednesday at his home in Northport, Ala. He was 87.
„The Detroit Tigers are saddened to learn of the passing of Frank Lary,“ the team said in a statement. „The Tigers organization extends our deepest sympathies to Frank’s wife, Emma, and their family.“
A native of Alabama, Lary pitched for the Tigers from 1954-1964, making two All-Star games and winning a Gold Glove.
His best season came in 1961, when he went 23-9 with a 3.24 ERA, finishing third behind Whitey Ford and Warren Spahn in the Cy Young Award race.
Lary was a workhorse for the Tigers, averaging 34 starts and 257 innings per season from 1955 to 1961.
He was purchased by the New York Mets in 1964 and also pitched for the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago White Sox before his career ended.
Lary was sometimes dubbed the „Yankee Killer.“ During his heyday with the Tigers, he went 27-10 with a 3.04 ERA in 328 1/3 innings against Mickey Mantle and Bronx Bombers.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Read a full obituary from the Tuscaloosa News.
See also:
SABR biography of Frank Lary
Feature on DetroitAthletic.com
