Sam Lanford

Lewis Grover Lanford

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 155 lb.
• School Davidson College
• Debut August 19, 1907
• Final Game September 14, 1907
• Born January 8, 1886 in Woodruff, SC USA
• Died September 14, 1970 in Woodruff, SC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Sam Lanford, from Woodruff, SC, played for the Washington Senators in 1907.

Lanford made his debut in August 1907, in the same month that another rookie, Walter Johnson, made his debut for the team.

He also went 18-5 for Orangeburg in 1907.

He is not to be confused with another Sam Lanford who was a famous boxer of the time. Since the ballplayer Lanford's real name was Lewis, his nickname "Sam" may have derived from that of the boxer. In fact, Sporting Life referred to Lewis as "Joe Lanford". Another publication called him "Cy Lanford". This article indicates that his identity was a mystery even to his catcher. The article goes on to say he may have pitched for New Orleans, and in 1916 he made news pitching a perfect game in the Interurban League in his home state.

A pitcher named Lanford was pitching for Spartanburg in 1908, according to Sporting Life".

Related Sites

• Sam Lanford at the SABR Bio Project