Lerrin LaGrow - #39 - RHP

Born – Phoenix, Ariz., 7/8/1948

B-R, T-R… 6-5, 230

 

Following the big splash of getting Pete Rose in 1979, the Phils’ sole free agent addition for 1980 was to sign veteran reliever Lerrin LaGrow from the Los Angeles Dodgers.  LaGrow, at one time the top reliever in the White Sox’ bullpen, was expected to strengthen a bullpen that had taken a beating in 1979.  LaGrow did not meet expectations for the Phils, and was released on July 17, ending his big league career.

1980 Statistics

 

IP

 W

 L

Ks

ERA

1980

39

0

2

21

4.15

Lifetime Statistics

Year

Team

IP

W

  L

  S

   K

ERA

1970

Tigers

12.1

0

1

  0

7

7.30

1972

Tigers

27.1

0

1

2

9

1.32

1973

Tigers

54.0

1

5

3

33

4.33

1974

Tigers

216.1

8

19

  0

85

4.66

1975

Tigers

164.1

7

14

0

75

4.38

1976

Cardinals

24.1

0

1

0

10

1.48

1977

White Sox

98.2

7

3

25

63

2.46

1978

White Sox

88.0

6

5

16

41

4.40

1979

White Sox

17.2

0

3

1

9

9.17

1979

Dodgers

37.0

5

1

4

22

3.41

1980

Phillies

39.0

0

2

3

21

4.15

TOTALS

 

779.0

34

55

54

375

4.11

Phillies Publications

From The Phillies 1980 Media Guide:

 

How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent, 1/31/80.

 

Ace of the White Sox bullpen in 1977 and 1978…  Began last year with the White Sox and then sold to the Dodger s in early May…  Came up with a bone spur on his left heel that same month…  Favored and developed sore muscle in right shoulder which put him on the disabled list, July 30 to Aug. 25…  Had outstanding September for Dodgers, 3-0, 2 saves, 12 innings, 1 earned run, 9 strikeouts, 0.75 ERA.

 

Played out his option and went through reentry draft…  Was drafted by only the Boston Red Sox which left him as a total free agent… Signed one-year contract with the Phillies after turning down a couple of other offers…  Had minor surgery for bone spur on Oct. 19, 1979…  Spends off-season in real estate business in Scottsdale.

 

Originally signed by Detroit after being the sixth round draft out of Arizona State back in June, 1969… Sold by Tigers to St. Louis, 4/2/76…  Traded by Cardinals to White Sox, 3/23/77 for Clay Carroll.

Lerrin LaGrow did not appear in the 1981 Phillies Media Guide.

From The 1980 Phillies Yearbook:

  • Favorite Color:  Pink
  • Favorite Singer/Group:  Sha Na Na
  • Favorite Song:  Take This Job And Shove It
  • Favorite City:  Cleveland
  • Least Favorite City:  Los Angeles
  • Person You'd Most Like To Meet:  Khomeini
  • Boyhood Idol(s):  Hop-A-Long Cassidy
  • Biggest Turn-On:  ? Evening
  • Biggest Turn-Off:  ? Morning
  • Favorite Subject in School:  Phys Ed.
  • Favorite TV Show:  Gong Show
  • Favorite Book:  Grimms Fairy Tales
  • Person You Most Admire:  Richard Nixon
  • Greatest Achievement:  Playing this long
  • Most Memorable Moment:  Can’t remember, it was only a moment
  • Hobbies:  Baseball
  • Toughest Batter You’ve Faced:  Hillerich and Bradsby (Louisville Sluggers)