Johnny Lavin

John Lavin

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut September 10, 1884
• Final Game October 15, 1884
• Born 1856 in Troy, NY USA
• Died December 7, 1893 in Troy, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Johnny Lavin played for the St. Louis Browns in 1884. He also played a number of seasons in the minors. Little was known about him apart from the fact his hometown was Troy, NY. Census data indicates that he was living in that city with a woman named Sarah Dunne. There were two persons named John Lavin who died around Troy in 1893, but one of them named Ms. Dunne as the executor of his will, allowing researchers to confirm this man was the former ballplayer.

"The only run scored by Oswego was secured on the short stop's fumble, of Brouthers' ground hit, Brouthers scoring on Lavin's two-base hit." - from Sporting Life of June 8, 1887, about a day when Johnny Lavin was a hero, hitting clean-up behind James Brouthers

"Jack Lavin, our big centre fielder, who has so ably assisted Manager (Leo) Baldwin in securing his team, has made many friends in this city by his quiet and gentlemanly behavior." - Sporting Life of March 21, 1888, about Lavin with Binghamton

Further Reading

• "John Lavin", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, July/August 2015, p. 1.