Event

Larry Gowell

Ever since the TV program "Bill Green's Maine" did a story about former major league pitcher-turned-singer Larry Gowell (one in which the Franco Center is featured prominently), his phone has been ringing off the hook for new bookings, including one at Fenway Park in Boston. It's no overstatement to say that when you're a former starting pitcher for the New York Yankees, as Larry is, you've got to be pretty special to be invited into the lion's den that is Fenway to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before a game.

Larry, who went to Edward Little High School and now lives just across the bridge in Auburn, is one of our favorites here at the Franco Center for his easy-going manner, his humility and of course, that deep golden voice. Don't miss this cabaret-style performance in Heritage Hall complete with hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, and while you're here you might get Larry to autograph one of his CD's. Or a baseball, if you think to bring one.

While Larry's career as a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees lasted only three games in the waning days of the 1972 season (his career record was 0-1 with an earned run average of 1.29), Gowell was the last starting pitcher in the American League to ever get a hit during the regular season before the designated hitter rule was enacted in 1973. The ball that Gowell hit for a double off Milwaukee Brewers (and former Red Sox) pitcher Jim Lonborg on the final day of the 1972 season resides in Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.