Former Phillies pitcher and 1980 World Series champion Larry Christenson passes away

Former Phillies pitcher and 1980 World Series champion Larry Christenson died unexpectedly on Friday morning, the club announced. The Washington native was spending time with family and friends on a fishing trip in his home state. He was 72 years old.

Christenson pitched 11 major-league seasons for the Phillies, winning 83 games with a career 3.79 ERA. He debuted as a teenager in 1973, the year after he was selected in the first round of the draft by Philadelphia, and remained with the team until 1983. He did not pitch in that postseason, but he was a member of the team that made it back to the Fall Classic only three seasons after the Phillies won their first World Series title in franchise history.

“It is with great sadness that we just learned of the passing of Larry Christenson who was a friend for 50 years,” Phillies icon and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt said in a statement. “Larry was very special, the guy that kept in touch with all of us, he always had a smile on his face, he never forgot a moment he spent with you. His passing will leave a hole in all of our hearts. May he rest in peace.”

Christenson did not pitch after the age of 29 due to injury, but he made an impression on the club and his teammates on the mound and in the clubhouse. He spent his entire big-league career with the Phillies, then remained involved with Phillies Charities and other organizations in the Philadelphia area after his playing days.

“My heart is heavy today,” Phillies Wall of Famer Larry Bowa said in a statement. “LC was a tremendous teammate, an outstanding pitcher and a true friend. Win or lose, he was always the life of the clubhouse. He loved the game and enjoyed every minute of his big-league career. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”