The End of a Fine Career

by I. M. Hack

The baseball world is a bit poorer with the recent career-ending injury to fire-balling right-hander Vernon Larry.

Who could forget the five memorable years that Larry spent as the ace of the Hickory Huskers pitching staff? He held that team together during it's early years, pitching his heart out for the new expansion team. Larry remembers how it all began.

"There I was, pitching for the Truth or Consequences Martindales out in New Mexico when Zev Steinhardt approached me about signing up with his expanding league. He wanted me to throw for him in a tryout before the game, but I couldn't because the team policy was that pitchers who weren't pitching that day had to sell beer and peanuts in the stands. But after the game, I was able to throw for Mr. Steinhardt. He watched me throw for about ten minutes and said to me 'Son, how'd you like to go to Hickory?'"

And that's how it began for the right-hander. He anchored the Hickory staff for five years, from 2004 to 2008 where he compiled 39 victories. He set league records, some of which still stand today. Before the 2009 season began, Larry was acquired by Denver in a four player deal. He provided some valuable contributions to Denver's effort in 2009, including winning six games.

Never one to be content with sitting on his laurels, Larry signed a two-year contract with the Brooklyn Wolves before the 2010 season. Unfortunately, fate conspired against Larry and he ended up in the minor leagues for most of the 2010 campaign. A poor spring showing caused him to end up in the minors again in 2011.

"I was sorry to see him go to the minors," said team owner Zev Steinhardt. "In fact, I feel partly responsible for his torn rotator cuff. When [Charles] Midgett injured himself, he was one of the candidates to replace him on the staff. In the end, however, we went ahead and signed Dane Vos. If we brought him up, who knows, he might not have torn his cuff in that game."

Unfortunately for Larry and the baseball world, the injury is just too extensive to treat, even with radical surgery. "We considered the surgery," said Dr. Frankensteen, "but then we wondered 'what would happen if we did the surgery and Larry returned to pitching?' We decided that the risk was too great that he'd pitch again, so we declined and advised him to retire."

And so, one of the stars of the game is now gone. Who knows what great things Larry could have done if he had another five years to pitch. But the fates have conspired against us to rob us of one of the greats. Now, he's gone onto baseball history. All that's left now is for the Hall of Fame voters to recognize his greatness.