Back in February, Cincinnati, Ohio, councilwoman Victoria Parks wanted to name a local street after a Cincinnati Reds great. And on Monday it all came to fruition as Barry Larkin received a prestigious honor in downtown Cincinnati. The Hall of Famer now has a street named after him.
That’s right, Mehring Way between Joe Nuxhall Way and Broadway will now be known as Barry Larkin Way.
“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by the city of Cincinnati,” Larkin said in a post on Twitter. “This community and the people of this city mean so much to my family and me. To have a street named after me in my hometown is unreal and I thank everyone who made this happen.”
I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by the city of Cincinnati. This community and the people of this city mean so much to my family and me. To have a street named after me in my hometown is unreal. I thank everyone who made this happen. Go Reds! 🙏❤️⚾️ pic.twitter.com/aEFmxyKsJ8
This is a well-deserved honor for Larkin who gave so much to his hometown during his playing days. There’s no question that Larkin was one of the best ever to play the game of baseball. When you look at his career, there’s nothing you can argue. This former MLBbro helped the Cincinnati Reds win its fifth World Series title in 1990.
Barry Larkin “The Cincinnati Kid” was a force to be reckoned with
It’s not every day when a player gets the opportunity to play for their hometown team. Let alone spend their entire career with that team. Larkin did just that. From 1986 to 2004, Larkin was a member of the Reds and accomplished a lot during that time.
The shortstop had all the tools to be an elite player. Whether he was in the field or at the plate, Larkin dominated in all phases of the game. He finished his career with a .295 batting average, with 198 home runs, 960 RBI, and 379 stolen bases. Not to mention he had a total of 2,340 hits. The 12-time all-star also won nine Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Glove Awards, and was named the National League MVP in 1995.
Street naming speaks to Larkin’s legacy in Cincinnati
Not everyone gets a street named after them. The fact that the city of Cincinnati wanted to name a street after Larkin just speaks volumes to the kind of person he was on and off the diamond.
“Getting the opportunity to live out a dream; meet my idol David Concepción and play with him; play for Pete Rose who I idolized growing up; play with Tony Pérez and many of the greats that went before us — Joe Morgan — and then to be able to come here and win a World Series was absolutely amazing,” Larkin said at the street unveiling.
“Having a street named after you — seriously, in Cincinnati, I don’t know if it gets any more amazing than that,” he said.
Winning awards on the field is one thing, but to receive such an honor like this is something that’ll you’ll remember for a lifetime. Now, when fans are headed to Great American Ball Park to catch a game, they will get a chance to see Barry Larkin Way.
Congratulations to Barry Larkin on the naming of his street, a true Cincinnati legend.
Seattle Mariners captain J.P. Crawford helped lead the team to their first playoff appearance in 21 years. It ended a streak of futility which was the longest in major North American pro sports.
Now, after setting a new standard in the Emerald City, Crawford will look to elevate the franchise to true contender in 2023. With the additions of young stars like 2022 Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez, the missing piece to a championship run is an offensive elevation by their web master.
During their last series of the season, Crawford was officially given the captain role after the retirement of longtime Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager.
Seattle Mariners Finish Strong
The Mariners got off to a slow start in the win column, but Crawford was one of a few players who helped keep a new roster above water until they gelled. He was among the Major League leaders in batting average, on base percentage, runs, OPS and WAR along with his teammate Ty France. Crawford was playing so well it felt almost certain he would get to participate in his first ever All-Star Game in his hometown of Los Angeles.
However, one Sunday afternoon in late June put a halt to those plans.
J.P. Crawford Involved In Wild Brawl
The game took place in Anaheim between the Mariners and the team that ultimately defeated them in that final series of 2021, the Angels. Throughout recent years — and even this season — multiple players, including former first round pick Justin Upton were hit with pitches; his, a fastball to the head a little under two weeks before hand.
With tensions already high, the Angels decided to use an “Opener” to hit a Mariners batter in the back to begin an inning.
Back-and-forth talk between outfielder Jesse Winker and the Angels bench began, which led to Winker charging towards their dugout. A fight ensued as the benches cleared and fists were being thrown until Crawford came into the scuffle to throw an overhand right in defense of his teammate.
“I always tell them, I got their back,” Crawford told reporters the next day. “Just know that I have got your back. When stuff hits the fan, I am going to be the first one out there every time. I am going to do that 10 times out of 10. I have always got my boys back.”
It was one of the biggest brawls in recent Major League Baseball history as a total of eight people were suspended including Crawford who was sentenced to five games.
Although that seemed to end the 2020 Gold Glove winning shortstops All-Star bid, it also lit a fire under the entire clubhouse and sparked the team. Seattle ended up winning 90 games to clinch a wildcard spot and end their 21-year playoff drought.
In the playoffs, the Mariners swept the powerhouse Blue Jays and set themselves up in a matchup against their division rivals in Dusty Baker and the Astros. In Game one, the Mariners pummeled Astros starter Justin Verlander and Crawford had a major blow with a huge home run off the former Cy Young winner.
The Astros would end up winning the game and taking the series 3-0, but Crawford along with his group of young superstars showed the bright lights of October will not bother them.
Crawford ended the season batting .243 with six home runs, a .339 OBP and 24 doubles. In all it was a successful 2022 for J.P. Crawford. Elevation is the key to success.
Despite Houston Astros Jeremy Pena’s strong rookie campaign in which the baby bomber won a World Series and a Gold Glove, we still consider J.P. to be the best defensive shortstop in the Majors. Crawford will, however, have to raise his average and on base percentage if he wants his name solidified as an all-around elite player at his position, especially in a stacked American League.
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