Former Cub Lary Sorensen Falls On Hard Times

by danimal15 on Feb 8, 2008 1:22 PM CST Comment 11 comments

Hard times for former Cub Lary Sorensen:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-08-sorensonfeb08,1,980745.story

Sad to see.

Sorensen was basically done by the time he pitched for the Cubs. But in 1978 with the Brewers he went 18-12 with a 3.21 ERA and pitched more than 280 innings and 17 complete games at age 22.

With the Cubs in 1985 he was 3-7 with a 4.26 ERA.

Apparently, Sorensen has spoken at schools about the dangers of alcohol. Looks like he hasn't been taking his own advice.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I saw this story

Did you see the blood alcohol content? I know nothing about it but I'd wonder if he wasn't trying to kill himself. To reach that level, it would require just guzzling it.

by rlpete on Feb 8, 2008 1:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

As bad as the story is, he's lucky in two ways

His BAC is obviously past the point of no return without medical intervention.
That section of 696 in Detroit is one of the widest/fastest sections of urban highway I know. My recollection may be off, but I believe it is 6-8 lanes in each direction and traffic flies over 70 at all times of day and night. He's lucky he didn't hurt himself or anyone else.

by N Oakley on Feb 8, 2008 1:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thank you for posting this.

I was just about to. This is a real cautionary tale, for anyone who enjoys a drink from time to time.

Please. In moderation. And don't drive. Look at what is happening to Jim Leyritz.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 8, 2008 1:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sorensen's blood-alcohol level was 0.48 !!!

It's amazing that he made it to the interstate without harmful or deadly incident.

Concerning Jim Leyritz...not that two wrongs make a right, and it doesn't affect the cause of the crash because Leyritz ran a red light, but the woman who was killed when Leyritz crashed into her car was legally drunk, too. She had a blood-alcohol level of 0.18, more than twice Florida's legal limit of 0.08, and higher than Leyritz's blood-alcohol content of 0.14 percent.

BTW, Leyritz was ordered to take daily breath tests--he must blow into a machine three times a day to prove he is following those orders--while he awaits trial on DUI manslaughter charges and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

What a way to end a birthday celebration and a life, Mr. Leyritz.

Don't drink and drive. It's a deadly risk.

by flachimesa on Feb 8, 2008 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not to Hammer the Point Too Hard, but ...

Al's advice is particularly relevant for all of us who indulge at the ballpark. The bleachers might very well be Chicago's largest outdoor beer garden but a little individual responsibility is a beautiful thing.

If It Takes Forever ....

by wrigley1 on Feb 9, 2008 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Moderation is fine

but the Sorenson story is a lot more than just a warning about moderation and having a few too many. His blood alcohol content was .48. That goes way beyond having a few too many with the boys or even the Tony LaRussa incident. There are some serious problems here.

by rlpete on Feb 10, 2008 7:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Another lesson

During his battle with alcohol abuse, Sorensen went from being an MLB player, to being an MLB announcer to working at McDonald's. His latest job was working at a warehouse. He was married for 24 years before his alcohol and drug abuse led to a divorce. He hasn't been in broadcasting in 10 years, but says he wants to get back. Hard to see that happening at this point.

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Feb 8, 2008 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Disease

In case anybody still has doubt, I think Sorenson's recent biography verifies that alcoholism is a medical disease. This type of downward slide is not something that a healthy person would choose.

"These are terrible times, and I shouldn't joke about them." --Warren Zevon

by ExNorthsider on Feb 8, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

And people can get help for this. Let's hope Sorenson does. This sounds like a cry out for help.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 8, 2008 4:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What scares me personally about this...

...is my wife, daughter, Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law and I drove to the Detroit area around New Year's. I know there are drunk drivers everywhere, but reading a story like this is still chilling.

(By the way, no offense to any Cubs fans in that part of the country, but you people drive like maniacs.)

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Feb 8, 2008 1:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

So he was sent straight to prison after spending time in jail after this latest arrest. I can only imagine the mother of all hangovers, plus the DTs, Sorenson must still be experiencing right about now. Maybe prison is the best place for him and will help him dry out, if they have an A.A. type counseling program there. I'd like to think some of his friends in and out of baseball that are able to help him would step forward.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Feb 9, 2008 12:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs