LARRY KLEINZ CLASS OF '92 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2014 Many young boys have the dream of playing professional baseball but only a very few get to live that dream. Larry Kleinz is one of those fortunate few. After record-setting careers at Steinert and Villanova University, Larry was selected in the 17th round by the Florida Marlins. "Coach (Rich) Giallella knows all too well that we had our share of verbal engagements whether they were of the humorous, sparring, or even inspirational nature. Nevertheless, I do vividly recall a quote of his I relate to and it resonates with me even more today on various levels," he said. What he is referring to was a quote Coach Rich Giallella made during the 1992 state title run. He said, "I always had two dreams: One to play professional baseball, and the other was when I came home to become a Teacher and a Coach and to win a championship." Larry was a slick-fielding shortstop on that 1992 team, improving immensely as a hitter, raising his batting average 60 points from his junior to his senior season. In his last season, the team went 31-1 winning the CVC title, the Mercer County Tournament, the Central Jersey Group III title, and the Group III State Championship. Larry went on to play baseball at Villanova University where he was a four-year starter and his Wildcats won three Big East titles.He was the All-Big East shortstop for two years, First Team All-NCAA Regional Team, and made Third Team All-America in his senior season. In that season he broke former AL MVP Mo Vaughn's Big East Conference record for Runs Batted In and tied former MLB All-Star Craig Biggio's doubles record. He finished that season hitting .382 with 12 homeruns and 66 runs batted in. After Villanova, Larry played in the Florida Marlins minor league system from 1996-2000, was the fifth-ranked hitter in the organization in 1998, and was the first Mercer County native to play professionally at Mercer County's Waterfront Park. Larry stays involved in baseball by providing coaching and instruction at Allentown Little League. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE