{{short description|American baseball player (born 1982)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Jeff Larish | image = 001U7276 Jeff Larish.jpg | caption = Larish in the batter's box | position = First baseman / Third baseman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|10|11}} | birth_place = Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. | bats = Left | throws = Right | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = May 30 | debutyear = 2008 | debutteam = Detroit Tigers | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = October 3 | finalyear = 2010 | finalteam = Oakland Athletics | statleague = MLB | stat1label = Batting average | stat1value = .224 | stat2label = Home runs | stat2value = 8 | stat3label = Runs batted in | stat3value = 32 | teams = * Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2010}}) * Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2010}}) |medaltemplates= {{MedalSport|Men's baseball}} {{Medal|Country|{{bb|USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition | Pan American Games}} {{MedalSilver | 2003 Santo Domingo | Team}} }}
'''Jeffrey David Larish''' (born October 11, 1982)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeff Larish Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jeff-larish-460252 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818165804/https://www.mlb.com/player/jeff-larish-460252 |archive-date=2019-08-18 |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> is an American former professional baseball infielder and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics.
== Early life == Jeffrey Larish was born on October 11, 1982 in Iowa City, Iowa, United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeff Larish Biography - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/bio/_/id/29144/jeff-larish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260412065755/https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/bio/_/id/29144/jeff-larish |archive-date=2026-04-12 |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=ESPN |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Amateur career== Larish attended McClintock High School. Larish was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 32nd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft, but chose to attend college at Arizona State University. Larish was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 15th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft, but turned down a reported $660,000 contract offer at the advice of his agent, Scott Boras, so that he could complete college. On June 21, 2005, Larish became the third College World Series player in history to hit three home runs in a single game.
==Professional career== ===Detroit Tigers=== Larish was chosen by the Detroit Tigers in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2005 MLB draft. In 2007, Larish was honored as the Tigers Minor League Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite book |title=2015 Detroit Tigers Media Guide. pg 387}}</ref> On January 25, 2010, Larish was optioned to Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. On July 25, Larish was recalled to the Detroit Tigers when Magglio Ordóñez and Carlos Guillén were sent to the disabled list. Larish had a Statue of Liberty batting stance. He stood straight up with absolutely no movement other than pushing off on his left leg as he began his swing. On July 30, Larish was designated for assignment by the Tigers.
===Oakland Athletics=== On August 3, 2010, Larish was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics, and subsequently assigned to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. On August 6, Larish had 10 RBI in a doubleheader sweep at Isotopes Park. The River Cats won both games, 14–5 and 12–3, respectively.
===Philadelphia Phillies=== On November 18, 2010, Larish signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. On July 14, 2011, Larish suffered a season-ending injury when he suffered a broken leg trying to score at home plate.
===Pittsburgh Pirates=== The Baltimore Orioles signed Larish to a minor league contract on February 3, 2012. However, he did not receive an invitation to spring training. At the end of spring training, Larish was released by the Orioles. On May 4, Larish signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox, but never played in a game for the organization.
On May 12, 2012, Larish was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. On September 3, playing for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians against the Louisville Bats, Larish attempted to play all nine positions. Larish began the game in left field, in the 2nd inning he was in center field, by the 3rd inning Larish was in right field. He played third base in the 4th, shortstop in the 5th, and second base in the 6th. He started the 7th inning at first base and became the pitcher with two outs in the inning. Larish failed to play catcher only because the game was shortened due to rain. Larish was credited with the save.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indians Win Season Finale; Larish Plays 8 Positions, and Reliever Diaz Steals Third |url=http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/09/indians-win-season-finale-larish-plays-8-positions-and-reliever-diaz-steals-third.html |date=September 3, 2012 |first=Nancy |last=Zinni}}</ref> He elected free agency on November 2.
On November 9, 2012, Larish re-signed with the Pirates on a minor league contract. In 20 appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis, he batted .167/.310/.313 with two home runs and five RBI. Larish was released by the Pirates organization on August 3, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pirates Announce Seven Minor League Signings |url=http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/11/pirates-announce-seven-minor-league-signings.html |date=November 9, 2012 |first=Tim |last=Williams}}</ref>
==International career== Larish played on the United States national baseball team in the 2003 Pan American Games; the team took the silver medal and went 27–2 overall, at the time its best finish ever. Larish scored the only run in the team's 3–1 loss in the final game to Cuba.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cuba beats United States to win baseball gold at Pan American Games |agency=Associated Press |date=August 12, 2003 |first=Janie |last=McCauley }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Biography|Baseball}} {{Baseballstats |mlb=460252 |espn=29144 |br=l/larisje01 |fangraphs=5128|brm=larish001jef}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Larish, Jeff}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Arizona State Sun Devils baseball players Category:Baseball players at the 2003 Pan American Games Category:Baseball players from Iowa Category:Detroit Tigers players Category:Erie SeaWolves players Category:Gulf Coast Tigers players Category:Indianapolis Indians players Category:Lakeland Tigers players Category:Lehigh Valley IronPigs players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Leones del Caracas players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:Major League Baseball third basemen Category:Mesa Solar Sox players Category:Oakland Athletics players Category:Oneonta Tigers players Category:Peoria Saguaros players Category:Sacramento River Cats players Category:Sportspeople from Iowa City, Iowa Category:Toledo Mud Hens players Category:United States national baseball team players Category:Medalists at the 2003 Pan American Games Category:Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in baseball