Paul Larson

      Paul Larson was a Chicago Cubs Outfielder and Infielder who played for the Cubs from 1906 – 1921. He was the oldest son of Danish Immigrants who were farmers in Marshalltown Iowa. Paul was discover by former manager turned scout Frank Seele who discovered all the talents of the 1907 and 1908 Championship teams from Frank Chance, Jo Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Three-Finger Brown. He was an All-star hitter with the Cubs and ended his career with a lifetime .310 batting average. He was the only member of the Larson family to play on a Cubs team that won a World Series.

  George Larson

      George Larson was a Chicago Cubs Outfielder, Infielder, and pitcher who played for the Cubs from 1936 – 1953. He was the oldest son of Paul Larson and while growing up in Marshalltown followed in his father’s footsteps and became a baseball player. As was promised by William Wrigley he was allowed to try out for the Cubs and was called up to the big leagues in 1936. George Larson played on the 1938 and 1945 World Series teams. He ended his career at shortstop and was replaced by Ernie Banks in 1953. His lifetime batting average was .308 and put up the same kind of numbers as his father Paul Larson. George Larson was super competitive and prone to fighting with opposing players when they lost. He even punched out one of his own teammates for playing lousy in the 1938 series.

  Jack Larson

       Jack Larson was a Chicago Cubs starting pitcher from 1960 – 1974. Jack is the oldest son of George Larson. He came up with the Cubs the same year as Ron Santo and Billy Williams. He signed contract with the Cubs in 1959 after two years of college baseball at the University of Iowa. He made the big league club in 1960 as did Ron Santo and Billy Williams.  He was an all-star pitcher who played on the 1969 Cubs team and was instrumental in their success. He pitched two no hitters in his career as a Cub and was a 20 game winner four seasons during his career. When the Cubs wanted to trade him in the middle of 1974 season Jack decided to retire and go back to Iowa where he became a baseball coach at the University of Iowa for 20 years.

  Steve Larson

   Steve Larson was a Chicago Cubs starting pitcher from 1982 – 1990. He also pitched for the Texas Rangers during the last two years of his career. Known as the “Wild One,” Steve Larson was a wild a ferocious pitcher that had a mean fastball, sinker, and curveball that was almost unhittable. He is the son of Jack Larson and was considered a better pitcher than his father, but not as smart even though he could dominate a game all by himself from the mound. He played 3 seasons with the University of Iowa before being drafted by the Cubs and after 5 months in the minors he was called up in September of 1982. Steve Larson played on the 1984 and 1989 baseball teams. He was traded to the Rangers after he was considered a distraction to the Cubs from suspensions and a drug habit, which affected his pitching. After two years with the Rangers he was finally suspended from major league baseball when he tested positive for cocaine.  He later became a pitching coach in the Texas Rangers Organization.

  Ryan Larson

   Ryan Larson is a Chicago Cubs starting pitcher who was called up in 2007 after spending almost four seasons in the minors and playing four years at the University of Iowa just like his father and grandfather. Ryan is the son of Steve Larson and has the pitching capabilities of both his grandfather and father. He is known for having the same wicked fastball, sinker, and curveball as both Steve and Jack Larson. While he is known as having the same pitching talents as his grandfather and father he also tends to be a wild pitcher and a bit predictable. There were a few years that he had control problems, but he has become a dominate pitcher. Ryan Larson plays on the 2008 Cubs baseball team.

   Amy Larson

    Amy Larson is a sports writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. She is their main reporter to cover baseball and the Chicago Cubs for the paper. She is the daughter of Steve Larson and the brother of Ryan Larson. Ryan and Amy are twins. She was born on the day that her father Steve Larson made his major league debut. Amy is the one telling the story and part of the story is being told through her blog as she shares stories with the readers of the Chicago Sun-Times about her family and their involvement with the Chicago Cubs. Amy is also the one chronicling the 2008 season.