Larry Christenson, a workhorse pitcher for the Phillies in the 1970s and early 1980s, died unexpectedly Friday while on a fishing trip with family and friends in the state of Washington. He was 72. A native of Everett, Washington, Christenson was the Phillies’ first-round draft pick in 1972. He pitched for the Phils from 1973 to 1983, spending his entire career in Philadelphia. After his playing days, he settled in the Philadelphia area, became successful in business and was active in local charity work. He was a tireless supporter of Phillies Charities, Inc. “He was always helping people,” remembered former teammate Larry Bowa. “If you needed him, he was there. If there was a fundraiser, he’d be the guy who got everyone together.” Christenson made it to the majors at age 19. He was a stalwart on three straight National League East championship teams from 1976 to 1978. Over that span, he went 45-28 with a 3.65 ERA in 616 innings. He won 19 games in 1977. He went 5-1 for the 1980 World Series Champion Phillies, but was limited to 14 starts because of injury. Christenson was the Phillies’ starting pitcher on May 19, 1979 when the team wore burgundy uniforms. Management had intended to have the team wear the uniforms several times that season, but the Phillies lost to Montreal on the night the uniforms debuted and the players did not like them. “We wore them once,” Bowa recalled. “After the game, Bull (Greg Luzinski) went upstairs and told (owner Ruly Carpenter) we we’re done wearing them.” Christenson is forever captured in photographs wearing the burgundy uniform. “He was a great teammate,” Bowa said. “He was a real good hitter for a pitcher. He had a great personality. He had a way of keeping the clubhouse loose, but he was tough and always prepared to pitch. “I got along with him great. Sometimes when he gave up a long home run, I’d go to the mound and say, ‘How did you hold that pitch?’ He’d look at me and say, ‘Get the (bleep) out of here.’ “Just a great guy. He will be missed.” ...read more read less