About / Career Timeline
Larry's big league career was on a Tuesday. He pitched two innings against Cincinnati, giving up one run. A few days later, he separated his shoulder and that was the end of his big league career (and the accidental beginning of his writing career). Along with Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and a few other Hall of Famers, he is one of the few pitchers in Major League history to average a strike out per inning.
1942–1960
Born June 8, 1942, Los Angeles, CA. Grows up in suburban Los Angeles, attends Westchester High School. Varsity captain in basketball and baseball, elected president of both senior class and honor society, recruited by John Wooden to play basketball at UCLA. Does not get a date for the prom.
1961–1964
Attends Cal, Berkeley on a baseball scholarship, joins Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Plays shortstop and right field. In his senior year switches to pitching. His nineteen strikeouts against UC Santa Barbara is still a Cal record.
1964
Graduates from Cal-Berkeley with degree in Communications and Public Policy. On September 5, signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent by scout Paul Owens. “Larry Colton is the best young pitching prospect I've scouted this season,” says Ned Garver, a scout for the Reds.
1965
Marries Cal-Berkeley sophomore Denise Hedwig Loder Lee, daughter of Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr. Featured in Life Magazine. Joins Eugene's A-ball team in the Northwest League. Goes 12-10 at the plate .309. Leads Northwest League in complete games (15).
1966
Promoted to AA Macon. Starts 27 games, going 11-8 with a 3.77 ERA. He and Denise have a daughter, Wendy.
1967
Promoted to AAA with the San Diego Padres. Starts 31 games, finishes 14-14 with an ERA of 2.99, helping to lead the team to Pacific Coast League championship. Plays winter ball in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Strikes out Roberto Clemente and Johnny Bench.
1968
Called up to the Philadelphia Phillies April 26. Makes his major league debut May 6, wearing #21. Same day Catfish Hunter throws the first perfect game in Oakland A's history. On June 4 (the day Bobby Kennedy was assassinated), Larry separates his shoulder in a scuffle in San Francisco after breaking curfew. Placed on the DL. Sent back to San Diego.
1969
Returns to Eugene (now Triple A). Goes 11-9 with an ERA of 4.18. His fastball has lost its zip. He is the only player on the team with a peace sticker on his car.
1970
Traded to the Chicago Cubs. Joins Triple A Tacoma Cubs in the Pacific Coast League. Goes 12-14 with an ERA of 4.24. In his final game his last pitch as a pro is hit for a home run. His baseball career is over.
1972
Starts teaching career at Portland's experimental John Adams High School.
1975
The Portland Mavericks, owned by Bing Russell (Kurt Russell's dad), borrow Larry from his job as a high school English teacher. He pitches three games before getting injured. The Oregonian publishes his first-person account. Launches his writing career.
1977
Publishes his first book, Idol Time, a chronicle of the Portland Trail Blazers' championship season.
1978–1983
Freelance writing career begins to flourish. Publishes with national periodicals including Esquire, New York Times Magazine, Sports Illustrated.
1993
Publishes Goat Brothers, a main selection for the Book of the Month Club. Establishes him as “a big league writer.”
2000
Publishes Counting Coup, winner of the Frankfurt e-book of the year award and a Pulitzer Prize nominee.
2004
Publishes No Ordinary Joes.
2005
Founds Wordstock, the Portland Book Festival.
2013
Publishes Southern League: A True Story of Baseball, Civil Rights, and the Deep South's Most Compelling Pennant Race.