2026 MSBL Player Profile: Larry Paladino, Detroit MSBL
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
Larry Paladino is 84 years old, is a member of the 2013 class of the Detroit MSBL Hall of Fame, and has covered tons of Detroit Tiger home games as a member of the Associated Press as a sportswriter.
He has been a member of the Detroit MSBL since 1997 and currently plays in both the 60-over and the 70-over divisions.
“I play on the Brewers in the 60+ division and the Crawfords in the 70s,” said Larry. “Back when I started, we only had a 40-over division. Last year, I was managing and playing with the Silver Bats in the 70s, but this year, I decided to back off and just play. The Silver Bats became the nucleus for the Crawfords.
My philosophy hasn’t always been popular, but as a manager, I believe everyone should play. Yes, it has cost us some games over the years, but everyone deserves to get on the field or up to bat. This year, I’ll let someone else worry about that.”
I heard from League President Mike Juliano that Larry has a bunch of Denny McClain (Tigers pitching legend) stories dating back to his early years as an AP Sportswriter. I couldn’t wait to dig in.
“Denny was a free spirit, and I was right in the middle of things in the late 60s when he was the king of the hill and the Tigers were winning,” explained Larry. “He wrote a book and asked me to help him with photographs for it, and he came over to the house, and we went through boxes of my photos.
Then he got suspended and was eventually sent to jail. But he still had my pictures! My wife eventually contacted the bankruptcy judge to get my pictures back. I met him at a bar, and he brought the box with all the pictures.
Denny was a hard guy to figure out, but for some reason he really liked me. We always respected one another.”
Larry still works hard to stay in shape for baseball and relishes every day he can put on the spikes.
“I still do tons of sit-ups and hit the treadmill every day. Though the league would allow it, I have never used a courtesy runner. I can still surprise people. In 2015, Mike Hendry had me on his Arizona World Series roster for the Detroit 70s as a sub. We had the center fielder go down, and that was my chance. I was on base 27 times in a row and was named MVP. The sit-ups paid off!”
The Detroit MSBL consists of an impressive 52 teams across 18+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+, and 70+ divisions.
“We started the 70s about five years ago, and I volunteered to be a manager. Then we won the championship the first two years, and I kept going until this year. It’s hard to find players or people who want to manage. Hopefully, some of the guys coming up through the ranks will be willing to keep the division strong.”
Larry grew up in Detroit and played high school ball for St. Mary of Redford, a Catholic high school, and got to play at old Briggs Stadium, home of the Tigers, and toe the rubber against the public-school champion. How did that experience lead him to the position as an Associated Press contributor?
“I went into the Army and played a little softball in Vietnam. I remember one time the company commander told him that if he got a hit, he could have a pass to Saigon. So, I got a hit and got the pass. Those passes were pretty big deals back then.
I then went to Wayne State University and wanted to be a writer. I went to the Associated Press offices and asked if they needed any help in their sports department. I was able to help them, but then shortly thereafter, the main guy quit. I quickly took his place and never looked back.”
What are some of the highlights of being a sportswriter in charge of covering the Detroit Tigers in the late 60s?
“The first game I covered was McClain’s 30th victory (September 14, 1968). I also met Red Barber that year. I then covered all of the Tiger home games. Ernie Harwell and I became very good friends. I’m glad I asked the AP if they needed any help!”
Do you have a favorite Tiger of all time?
“This might surprise you, but it is Aurelio ‘Chi Chi’ Rodriguez, who was a third baseman for the Tigers back in the day and always played hard and respected the game. He was a good player from Mexico who didn’t speak English. But he was always very nice to me. Mike Epstein interpreted for him, and we had many meaningful discussions.”
What are some of the highlights of your personal baseball career?
“I played for a Detroit Old Timers team before MSBL was available, and was able to play in Canada with a virtually all-black team while at the AP. That was definitely a highlight. I wasn’t a starter, but I remember playing in Grand Rapids with them, crushing the other team, and going five for five with a couple of doubles.
That same year, while on the mound, I had a three-pitch inning. That’s tough to replicate!
Now I don’t play outfield because of vertigo. I mainly play second base, with a little bit of short. But mostly I’m at second or pitching. I have even caught a couple of games. As a manager, I always drag around the gear, so I am always prepared. You have to be versatile and know you may have to fill in at a moment’s notice.”
What is the best thing about the Detroit MSBL?
“The camaraderie. Mike Juliano (league president) has created a family-friendly atmosphere with very little ‘win at all costs’ attitudes. Most teams I have been on have good chemistry, and everyone has fun. There is always the feeling at the end of the year you’ll get someone and be better, but it never happens. And in the final analysis, it really isn’t the goal anyway.
I remember a game we played against Mike (Juliano) seven or eight years ago, and the pitcher for Mike’s team was Robert Custer, who is my age, so we had a total of 150 years of experience throwing against each other in the same game. I’ll never forget it. That is what’s special about this league.”