Larry Biittner
Born: 7/27/1946 in Pocahontas, IA, USA
Died: 1/2/2022 in Pocahontas, IA, USA
MLB Debut: 1970-07-17 | Final Game: 1983-09-29
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Lawrence David Biittner
Biography
Larry Biittner, born in 1946, was an accomplished professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1970 until his retirement in 1983. Known for his versatility as a position player, Biittner played in a total of 1,217 games throughout his career. He showcased a reliable batting ability, finishing with a career batting average of .273, accumulating 861 hits and 29 home runs. His offensive contributions were complemented by 354 runs batted in (RBIs) and 10 stolen bases, illustrating his capability to both drive in runs and take advantage of opportunities on the base paths.
Biittner's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the increasing emphasis on offensive production and the evolution of player roles. He played for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, where he became a fan favorite for his consistent performance and work ethic. As a reliable hitter and a presence in the clubhouse, Biittner left a lasting impression on teammates and fans alike, contributing to the rich tapestry of baseball history during the late 20th century. His legacy is remembered as a testament to the dedication and skill required to succeed in America’s pastime.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1217 | 3151 | 310 | 861 | 144 | 20 | 29 | 354 | 10 | 236 | 287 | 0.273 | 0.324 | 0.359 | 0.683 | -1379.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | WS2 | AL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1971 | WS2 | AL | 66 | 171 | 12 | 44 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 16 | 20 | 0.257 | -242.9 |
| 1972 | TEX | AL | 137 | 382 | 34 | 99 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 31 | 1 | 29 | 37 | 0.259 | -188.2 |
| 1973 | TEX | AL | 83 | 258 | 19 | 65 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 20 | 21 | 0.252 | -557.3 |
| 1974 | WSN | NL | 18 | 26 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.269 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | WSN | NL | 121 | 346 | 34 | 109 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 28 | 2 | 34 | 33 | 0.315 | 825.7 |
| 1976 | CHC | NL | 78 | 192 | 21 | 47 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0.245 | -383.3 |
| 1976 | WSN | NL | 11 | 32 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.188 | -383.3 |
| 1977 | CHC | NL | 138 | 493 | 74 | 147 | 28 | 1 | 12 | 62 | 2 | 35 | 36 | 0.298 | 615.3 |
| 1978 | CHC | NL | 120 | 343 | 32 | 88 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 23 | 37 | 0.257 | -624.0 |
| 1979 | CHC | NL | 111 | 272 | 35 | 79 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 50 | 1 | 21 | 23 | 0.290 | 25.4 |
| 1980 | CHC | NL | 127 | 273 | 21 | 68 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 1 | 18 | 33 | 0.249 | -803.2 |
| 1981 | CIN | NL | 42 | 61 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0.213 | -236.0 |
| 1982 | CIN | NL | 97 | 184 | 18 | 57 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 1 | 17 | 16 | 0.310 | 352.3 |
| 1983 | TEX | AL | 66 | 116 | 5 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 16 | 0.276 | -163.1 |
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 40.50 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | CHC | NL | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 40.50 | - |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 381 | 272 | 2866 | 269 | 33 | 242 |
| OF | 490 | 437 | 757 | 41 | 25 | 6 |
| P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | WS2 | 1B | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1971 | WS2 | OF | 41 | 40 | 72 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 1972 | TEX | 1B | 65 | 42 | 410 | 36 | 4 | 36 |
| 1972 | TEX | OF | 65 | 56 | 93 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 1973 | TEX | 1B | 20 | 15 | 143 | 14 | 0 | 16 |
| 1973 | TEX | OF | 57 | 52 | 91 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 1974 | MON | OF | 4 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | MON | OF | 93 | 86 | 166 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 1976 | CHN | 1B | 33 | 24 | 232 | 33 | 4 | 20 |
| 1976 | CHN | OF | 24 | 18 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1976 | MON | OF | 7 | 7 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | CHN | P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | CHN | 1B | 80 | 64 | 713 | 64 | 10 | 50 |
| 1977 | CHN | OF | 52 | 48 | 79 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978 | CHN | 1B | 62 | 50 | 554 | 52 | 8 | 53 |
| 1978 | CHN | OF | 29 | 25 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | CHN | 1B | 32 | 22 | 236 | 20 | 2 | 24 |
| 1979 | CHN | OF | 44 | 36 | 46 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | CHN | 1B | 41 | 24 | 250 | 19 | 1 | 14 |
| 1980 | CHN | OF | 38 | 33 | 55 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 1981 | CIN | 1B | 8 | 4 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1981 | CIN | OF | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982 | CIN | 1B | 15 | 12 | 128 | 12 | 1 | 13 |
| 1982 | CIN | OF | 31 | 28 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | TEX | 1B | 22 | 14 | 136 | 15 | 2 | 13 |
| 1983 | TEX | OF | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 1 |
| First Base | 381 |
| Left Field | 271 |
| Center Field | 14 |
| Right Field | 220 |
| Designated Hitter | 12 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake | IA | 1966, 1967, 1968 |