In 1965, the Philadelphia Phillies signed an undrafted free agent for $2,000 (equivalent to about $15,000 today). That same player ended up becoming a five-time All Star, and one of the best shortstops to ever play in the Phillies organization. With plenty of other opportunities sprinkled in over the years, he remains employed by the team that originally signed him all these years later.
Celebrating his 70th birthday in December, Lawrence Robert Bowa has spent his 25th, 50th, and 70th birthdays as part of the Phillies organization. As Larry Bowa celebrates this milestone, we’ll reflect on his lengthy, impressive career in the big leagues.