Terry Larkin

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Terry Larkin

Terry Larkin (Frank S. Larkin Birth unknown-September 16, 1894) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Larkin, a right-hander, debuted on May 20, 1876 for the New York Mutuals pitching a complete game in his only appearance of the season.

Larkin pitched in 1877 for the Hartford Dark Blues, posting a 29-25 record while pitching 501 innings. He then moved to the Chicago White Stockings for the 1878 and 1879 seasons, going 29-26 in 1878 and 31-23 in 1879, pitching over 500 innings each season. Larkin was a good hitter for a pitcher and finished 8th in the National League with 32 runs batted in while hitting for a .288 average in 1878.

In the midst of the 1879 season, Larkin developed arm trouble and the main pitching duties fell to third-baseman Frank Hankinson, although Larkin did continue to pitch. His arm problems continued to get worse and after 5 games with the Troy Trojans in 1880, Larkin was out of baseball.

Larkin made headlines on April 24, 1883 when he shot and injured his wife and a police officer, then tried to commit suicide. Failing that, he attempted suicide again the next day. Larkin's wife refused to press charges and he was soon released by the police.

Larkin was arrested again on February 18, 1884 for threatening to shoot his father. Soon released again, Larkin managed to hook up with the Richmond Virginians of the American Association and was their everyday 2nd baseman when they became a mid-season replacement for the disbanded Washington Nationals. It would be his last season in the major leagues.

Larkin was later institutionalized after challenging his former employer to a duel with pistols, and while apparently still hospitalized committed suicide by slitting his throat with a razor on September 16, 1894 in Brooklyn, New York.