Norm Larker, a first baseman and sometime outfielder, for the Dodgers, Astros, Braves, and Giants, for six seasons from 1958-63, passed away in Long Beach on March 12.
Larker didn't make it to the majors until he was 27 with the Dodgers in their first year in L.A. He finished second in the NL in batting average behind Dick Groat with a .323 average in 1960, but slumped in 1961 and the Dodgers had him share first base responsibilities with Gil Hodges. Both Hodges and Larker were taken in the NL expansion draft in the offseason and the job was given to a much younger Ron Fairly.
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