Tom Runnells and Barry Larkin crossed paths in 1986 when both played in the infield for the Denver Zephyrs. Runnells was winding down his career after 10 professional seasons, including major-league stints with Cincinnati in 1985 and ’86.
Larkin was on the fast track to the big leagues, in his second professional season and first in Triple-A. Runnells played second and Larkin played shortstop in the Zephyrs’ opening- day lineup.
“You could see that he was going to develop into a superstar,” said Runnells, now bench coach of the Rockies. “He wasn’t as refined as he would be in a few seasons, but he was so talented.”
Larkin, in fact, was probably the most talented shortstop in Denver baseball history — minor league or major league — until Troy Tulowitzki came along.
“They’re different players,” Runnells said. “Tulowitzki has a better arm and hits with more power. In Larkin’s day, shortstops weren’t asked to be power guys, but Barry could hit home runs as well.”
Defensively, Runnells thought Larkin had it all.
“He had tremendous range and agility that was unmatched by anybody,” Runnells said.
Larkin wasn’t long for Denver, getting called up by Cincinnati in August that year. He had done enough to be the American Association’s most valuable player, leading the Zephyrs in batting (.329), triples (10), total bases (217) and slugging (.525).
He didn’t slow down once he hit the big leagues. Larkin was a 12-time National League all-star in a career spanning 19 seasons. He was the league’s most valuable player in 1995, edging out the Rockies’ Dante Bichette. And he’s a member of baseball’s 30-30 club, with 33 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 1996.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
