MLB Hall of Famer Barry Larkin Joins Push to Bring Franchise to Orlando

Cincinnati Reds legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin joined the Orlando Dreamers in an attempt to help bring an MLB franchise to the city.

Larkin expressed his belief that Orlando should receive a team in an announcement on Wednesday (h/t Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors).

"It became immediately apparent that Orlando has the most compelling market in the country to be the next MLB franchise location," Larkin said, per the announcement.

The former 12-time All-Star is expected to serve as the MLB Ambassador for the Dreamers.

He'll also lead relationships and communications with MLB and provide strategic guidance to Orlando's baseball initiative.

Larkin revealed that he's already held discussions with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

"I spent considerable time talking to key people in Major League Baseball, including Commissioner Manfred, before committing to join the Orlando Dreamers' effort," Larkin said, per the announcement. "There were many phone calls to Jim, asking detailed questions concerning the approach, the accomplishments to date, and the strategies moving forward."

While Larkin was born in Cincinnati and spent his entire 19-year career with the Reds, he moved to Orlando and raised his family there following his retirement.

The late Pat Williams, who co-founded the Orlando Magic, also co-founded the Dreamers alongside Jim Schnorf in 2019 with the objective of bringing an MLB team to the city. Schnorf confirmed that Larkin's addition to the organization has already fueled commitments from potential investors.

"Just in the last few days, I have obtained verbal commitments from local investors in excess of $200 million dollars towards minority ownership in our prospective MLB franchise," Schnorf said as part of Wednesday's announcement. "Further, I just received verbal confirmation from an institutional investor group prepared to commit $250 million dollars to become a minority owner in our future team."

Manfred has previously expressed his support for the league's expansion, wanting the location of the two new franchises to be decided before he retires from his position in 2029 (via Sports Business Journal's Mike Mazzeo). He also wants at least one of the new teams to be located within the eastern time zone, which Orlando fits into.

Larkin made 12 All-Star appearances and earned 1995 National League MVP honors during his career, winning a World Series in 1990. He ranks No. 2 on the Reds' all-time hits list and recorded the seventh-most RBIs in franchise history.

Now, Larkin is focused on helping to bring an MLB team to Orlando.