Barry Larkin

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Larkin briefly played in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 1986. He quickly won the starting shortstop role for the Reds and enjoyed a long run of strong seasons with the team. Larkin struggled with a string of injuries between 1997 and 2003, limiting his playing time in several seasons. He retired after the 2004 season and worked in a front-office position for the Washington Nationals for several years until he joined ESPN as a baseball analyst. He served as a coach for the American team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and managed the Brazilian national team for the same event in 2013. Larkin is considered one of the top players of his era, winning eight Silver Slugger awards, three Gold Glove awards, and the 1995 National League Most Valuable Player Award. He was selected to the Major League All-Star Game twelve times, and was one of the pivotal players on the 1990 Reds' World Series championship team. In 2012, Larkin was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

On September 27, 1998, baseball history was made at Riverfront Stadium. Barry Larkin played alongside his brother Stephen Larkin in the infield for the last game of that season. Joining them were second baseman Bret Boone and third baseman Aaron Boone, creating the first MLB infield composed entirely of two pairs of brothers. This unique moment stood out during a period when Larkin was battling significant physical challenges. Earlier that year, he had undergone neck surgery for a perforated disk just three weeks before the 1998 opener, unable to lift his arm enough for defense despite not being in severe pain. Tension also arose off the field in 2003 during strained contract negotiations with Reds chief operating officer John Allen. Larkin almost left the team but eventually agreed to a one-year deal for 2004. In that final season, he hit .289 before announcing his retirement in February 2005. Despite missing significant time in six seasons due to injuries ranging from groin strains to knee sprains, he finished with 198 home runs and 379 stolen bases.

Reader's Guide

Barry Larkin played his entire 19-year MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds. He was a 12-time All-Star, won the 1995 NL MVP, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012. He also has a brother, Stephen Larkin, who played in MLB.

Did You Know?

• Barry Larkin has a brother, Stephen Larkin, who also played in MLB.
• On September 27, 1998, the Reds fielded an infield with two pairs of brothers: Barry and Stephen Larkin, and Bret and Aaron Boone.
• Larkin became the first shortstop in MLB history to join the 30–30 club in 1996.