Denny Lyons

Dennis Patrick Aloysius Lyons

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut September 18, 1885
• Final Game July 23, 1897
• Born March 12, 1866 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died January 2, 1929 in Covington, KY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

" . . . a hard-hitting fine third baseman . . . " - Sporting Life of Jan. 9, 1892, quoting the New York Sun

Denny Lyons was a top player in the 19th Century, playing almost exclusively at third base until the last year of his 13-year career. While he usually didn't lead the league in batting categories, he was often among the leaders while he played in the American Association and sometimes when he was in the National League.

Lyons reached base by hit or walk in 52 consecutive games in 1887.

His most notable season was probably 1890, when he led the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage, and was second in batting average behind Chicken Wolf.

The most similar player is his contemporary (through June 2007, using the similarity scores method), Oyster Burns, who also played early in his career in the American Association and then moved to the National League. Lyons has a slightly higher Adjusted OPS+, though, and is ranked at # 82 on the all-time list, tied with King Kelly and Darryl Strawberry.

Sporting Life of September 30, 1911 indicated that Lyons had fallen on hard times and that a benefit had been held for him.

Notable Achievements

• AA On-Base Percentage Leader (1890)
• AA Slugging Percentage Leader (1890)
• AA OPS Leader (1890)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (1887, 1889, 1891 & 1893)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1887 & 1893)
• 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1887)
• 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 1 (1887)

Records held

• Putouts, third baseman, season, 255, 1887