Larry Christenson, World Series winner with Phillies, dies at 72 - ESPN

Larry Christenson, a pitcher on the Philadelphia Phillies' 1980 World Series-winning team who spent his entire career with the franchise, died Friday at the age of 72.

The Phillies announced that Christenson died while on a fishing trip with family and friends in Washington. No other details were immediately available.

«The club and its fans are forever grateful for his contributions and the legacy he leaves behind in Philadelphia,» the team said in a statement. «We extend our heartfelt condolences to Larry's beloved daughters, Claire and Libby, his extended family and friends, and former teammates at this difficult time.»

The Phillies are saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of former pitcher Larry Christenson this morning while on a fishing trip with family and friends in Washington state. He was 72.

Christenson, who spent his entire 11-year major league career with the club from 1973-83,… pic.twitter.com/BKAVwEbF3E

Christenson spent 11 years with the Phillies (1973-83) after being drafted in the third round in 1972. He pitched a complete game in his major league debut against the New York Mets on April 13, 1973. No debuting pitcher has pitched a complete game since.

He made 14 starts and went 5-1 with a 4.03 ERA in 1980 as the Phillies reached the World Series, though he was rocked for four runs on five hits while pitching just one-third of an inning while starting a Game 4 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Philadelphia went on to win the title in six games.

For his career, Christenson went 83-71 with a 3.79 ERA over 243 appearances (220 starts). The Phillies reached the playoffs six times in his 11 seasons.

«Larry was very special, the guy that kept in touch with all of us,» former Phillies infielder Mike