Barry Larkin is someone who hasn’t been front and center in the spotlight lately. However, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t speak his mind and heart when he feels like it, especially when it comes to baseball. He doesn’t shy away from talking about the rising stars of today, especially when one of them reminds him of greatness. And just recently, he couldn’t help but gush over the Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

During the Reds series finale against the Texas Rangers, De La Cruz pulled off one of the wildest plays ever seen. A jaw-dropping 118-foot sprint diving catch in foul territory. The play-by-play announcer even gave it a grade of 10 when it comes to the degree of difficulty of the play. And Larkin watching, could not help but shout from the booth, “Eleven!” and said, “This guy is absolutely amazing… Unreal.”

Now, for Larkin, a Hall of Famer and a Red for life, it was more than just a flashy play. It was also a moment that showed him what elite shortstop talent is really like. And while he hands the flowers to those who deserve them, somewhere along the line, his input to the game has not been much talked about. However, someone decided to do the sweetest thing ever.

A post with the caption “Not enough people talk about Barry Larkin,” detailing all of Barry Larkin’s jaw-dropping achievements, dropped online. It detailed everything—12-time all-star, 1995 NL MVP, nine-time Silver Slugger—and Larkin being one of the smartest hitters the game has seen. It went viral, and another legend stepped in to give him his flowers—none other than Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, who commented, “Stud! One of my dudes is coming up… along with Cal and Ozzie!”

It was one of the rare moments of appreciation from one baseball icon to another. And it serves as a reminder of how Larkin’s brilliance continues to resonate today. Plus, while the spotlight might have shifted to the next generation, legends like Chipper still have not forgotten. And neither has Larkin that someone new, like Elly De La Cruz, who has the kind of magic that deserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated. But just as Larkin lends his voice to the stars of today, he is also stepping into a different spotlight. This time, not for a throw to first but to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando.

Barry Larkin champions Orlando MLB push

Barry Larkin has found himself at the heart of a very different baseball talk right now. One that involves the future of baseball in Central Florida. The Orlando Dreamers are a group pushing to bring an MLB team to the City Beautiful. And no, they are not dreaming; according to Larkin, they mean business.

Larkin mentioned, “I spent considerable time talking to key people in Major League Baseball, including Commissioner Manfred, before committing to join the Orlando Dreamers’ effort. There were many phone calls to Jim, asking detailed questions concerning the approach, the accomplishments to date, and the strategies moving forward. It became immediately apparent that Orlando has the most compelling market in the country to be the next MLB franchise location.” Now, an exciting opportunity has also come up, given that the Tampa Bay Rays are in a sticky situation. And a plausible sale and move out of their location seems to be on the cards.

Though Manfred himself doesn’t want the team to move away from Tampa Bay. However, there are also reports that the Rays are in exclusive sale talks with a Jacksonville-led group. And Manfred doesnt hold the reins here, and a move might be possible. So, Dreamers don’t seem to be backing down. Larkin’s endorsement isn’t just symbolic; it is strategic. With a proposed domed stadium near SeaWorld, close to high-speed rail access, and sitting in a booming tourism corridor, the Orlando Dreamers think they have every ingredient for MLB success. They have even cited making a $40 billion economic impact over the next three decades. And over 25,000 jobs as part of their plan.

Do you think it makes sense for Dreamers to be optimistic? Let us know.