Frank Lary

Frank Lary and older brother Al, a Cubs pitcher, both debuted in 1954. Al’s major league career was short, but in 1956, the fireballing Frank emerged as the ace of a strong Tiger staff, leading the American League with 21 wins. He was especially tough on the perennial pennant-winning Yankees, going 5-1 against them in 1956 and 7-0 in 1958 – the first time since 1916 that New York had been beaten seven times in one season by one pitcher. Lary defeated them five times in a row in 1959, making it 13 wins in 14 decisions. Lifetime against the Yankees, Lary was 27-13. His best season was 1961, when he was 23-9, threw a one-hitter, and led the league with 22 complete games. In his three All-Star appearances, he didn’t allow an earned run. He developed a sore arm in 1962 and changed teams four times during 1964 and 1965. As late as the 1970s, while coaching and scouting for various organizations, he was trying to convince teams he could pitch again.