Lyn Lary

Who was Lyn Lary?

Lynford Hobart Lary was a shortstop in Major League Baseball from 1929 through 1940, primarily for the New York Yankees. Lary batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Armona, California.

In a 12-season career, Lary posted a .269 batting average with 38 home runs and 526 RBI in 1302 games played.

A well-traveled shortstop, Lary played for six different teams in a span of twelve years, including two stints with the St. Louis Browns and playing for three teams in 1939. A good defensive player, he had good hands with a strong arm and was competent on the double play. Primarily a singles hitter, his hustle on the bases was shown by taking an extra base or for breaking up a double play. He ended his career with a 1.50 walk-to-strikeout ratio.

Lary debuted with the New York Yankees in 1929, finishing with a .309 average. The next season he hit .289, and .280 in 1931. That season, he collected 107 RBI, the most ever by a Yankees shortstop, and was one of six Yankees to have at least 100 runs scored. Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Ben Chapman, Earle Combs and Joe Sewell were the others. Lary also had career-numbers in home runs and triples.