Norm Larker

Category

Hazleton, PA.

Larker played at Hazleton High in 1948, and signed a pro contract the following year with the Hazleton Dodgers, a farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The parent club purchased his contract in 1950 and assigned the first baseman-outfielder to Greenwood, Micc. A class C team. After his tenure with the Dodgers farm clubs, Larker’s consistent hitting earned him a shot with what is now, the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1960, Norm batted .323 with the Dodgers while playing in 133 games. During the 1960 season, he was in a race for the National League batting crown with the great Willie Mays and Dick Groat. Groat of the Pirates won the title on the last day of the season when he collected two hits and batted .325. Larker played in the 1959 World Seris against the White Sox and was voted “Sophomore of the Year” by the Los Angeles Baseball Writers Association. In 1960, he was chosen to the National League all star team and in 1962, he was traded to Houston. In 1963, Norm split the season with Milkwaukee and San Francisco. He retired from baseball in 1967 after two seasons with the Toei Flyers in Japan. Norm, his wife, and four sons reside in Long Beach, California.