Ep 9: Larry Dierker -- In the Dugout with Larry Dierker

Larry Dierker shares fantastic stories from his major league baseball playing and managerial career in this episode of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Podcast. He pitched his first major league game on his 18th birthday, and shares his pitching strategies against legendary stars such as Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Joe Morgan. Larry played on the first Astros club to play in the Astrodome and brings us with him as he steps into the Astrodome for the first time. He recalls the thrill of pitching a no-hitter during the 1976 season and also grants us insights into his managerial approach to the game.  

Larry Dierker is a Houston baseball legend, and owns several Astro pitching records. He pitched 13 seasons for the Astros, dating back to 1964 when the team was known as the Colt .45s. He worked as the Astros' color analyst on radio and television for many seasons. The team hired him as manager before the 1997 season. He piloted the club to four division titles in five seasons. He was elected into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He won the NL Manager of the Year Award in 1998, and the Astros have retired his number.

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame Podcast is produced and hosted by Jackson Michael (The Game before the Money, We Were the Oilers) and is presented by the Hampton Inn Waco. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is located in Waco, Texas.