Читать книгу Bad Boys, Bad Times. The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Prewar Years, 1937–1941 онлайн

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Although the season had a long way to go, the Indians had stumbled out of the gate. Silly errors all over the field, Feller’s arm injury, and Johnny Allen’s appendicitis caused sportswriters and fans to ponder if the 1937 campaign was already headed for disaster.

Chapter 3

BROADWAY AND A MOOSE

Even though the Indians were struggling, there were a few bright spots to ease some of the fans’ anxiety. Lyn Lary got off to a hot start, batting near .400, though, as already noted, the veteran shortstop had some difficulty fielding his position. Lary also stole a few bases, reminding fans he still had the good speed and baserunning ability that most of his teammates lacked. To date, the Indians front office had to be pleased with at least part of the big trade with the St. Louis Browns.

Lynford Lary was born in Armona, California, on January 28, 1906. He played all three big sports in high school in Visalia, earning a reputation as one of the premier athletes in the state. After graduation he decided to attend college at the University of California. Just before he officially enrolled, he got an offer to play semipro ball. Lary had little money to pay for a college education, making it an easy decision to forget higher learning and go for the cash instead. Soon the Oakland Oaks ball club in the Pacific Coast League offered a contract for the 1925 season. Lary jumped at the chance to make some decent money and began to concentrate all his efforts on becoming a professional ballplayer.