This is the incredible tale of two brothers from Maine, Dick and Larry Gowell, who grew up excelling in America’s favorite pastime: baseball. From their early school days through high school and beyond, their talent on the field was undeniable. Both brothers even signed professional contracts on the same day—a dream come true for any baseball-loving family!
The Gowell brothers often played together, sometimes on the same team and other times on different ones, as they were nearly three years apart in age. From a young age, they showcased remarkable skills in both pitching and hitting. Summers were spent playing in youth leagues, and when they weren’t on the field, they practiced together—rain or shine. Both were pitcher/outfielders, with Dick occasionally starring as a first baseman.
Dick, the older brother, showed his talent early, pitching three no-hitters by the time he was 8 or 9 years old in the Police Athletic League (PAL). He once struck out nearly every batter in a six-inning game! Unfortunately, elbow issues from overusing his curveball slowed him down later in his career, but he adapted, becoming a crafty pitcher and a reliable outfielder.
Larry, the younger brother, followed in Dick’s footsteps but carved his own path. He didn’t start pitching until he was 13, which may have saved his arm. With a natural, overpowering fastball, he didn’t even need a curveball at first. Later, he developed a devastating sidearm slider that left batters baffled. At just 14, Larry was recruited to pitch for a men’s semi-pro team, facing players much older than him—and holding his own.
Both brothers played for Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, where they were standout athletes. Dick hit over .400 in his junior year and pitched a solid 4-1 record as a senior. Larry, meanwhile, was a force of nature, going undefeated (16-0) over three years, throwing multiple no-hitters, and striking out nearly two-thirds of the batters he faced. He also hit eight home runs in his senior year, some of them towering shots that fans still talk about today.
One memorable moment came when Dick saved Larry’s no-hitter by leaping to catch a line drive in center field. If he’d missed, it wouldn’t have been an error, but Dick knew he’d never hear the end of it from his little brother!
The brothers also shone in American Legion ball, playing at Pettingal Park in Auburn. Larry once hit a legendary line drive that broke a tree limb high above the left-field wall—an unforgettable moment for fans. In the 1966 state tournament, Larry pitched a one-hitter and a no-hitter on just one day’s rest, throwing an estimated 250-350 pitches over the weekend. He capped it off with a jaw-dropping throw from the center field wall to home plate—on the fly.
Both brothers eventually signed professional contracts. Larry was drafted in the 4th round by the Yankees in 1967, joining Dick on the same rookie league team in Oneonta, New York. While Dick’s career ended that year, Larry went on to break records in the minors. In 1969, he set the Florida State League strikeout record with 217 Ks, a mark that still stands today. He also pitched 196 innings, threw 17 complete games, and allowed just one home run all season.
Larry’s career highlights include a 14-inning, 242-pitch masterpiece in 1971 and an Eastern League championship in 1972, where he was named Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year. That same year, he made his MLB debut with the Yankees. Fun fact: Larry holds a unique place in baseball history as the last pitcher to record a hit before the designated hitter (DH) rule was introduced in 1973—a double off Jim Lonborg at Yankee Stadium.
Despite his talent, Larry’s MLB career was limited due to his faith as a Seventh-day Adventist. He refused to pitch from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, which made it difficult for teams to accommodate his schedule. While this held him back in the majors, it didn’t diminish his legacy. Like Sandy Koufax, Christy Mathewson, and Branch Rickey, Larry’s commitment to his beliefs set him apart.
Now you know the story of the Gowell brothers—two remarkable athletes whose love for baseball and each other left an indelible mark on the game.
