Johnny Lazor

Who was Johnny Lazor?

John Paul "Johnny" Lazor was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played his career for the Boston Red Sox. Lazor batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

Lazor provided four years of good services for the Boston Red Sox while Ted Williams and Dom DiMaggio were in the military service. His most productive season came in 1945, when he posted career-highs in games played, batting average, runs, runs batted in, doubles and home runs. In a four-season career, Lazor was a .263 hitter with six home runs and 62 RBI in 224 games. He finished his career with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League.

Lazor died in Renton, Washington at the age of 90. Until the Red Sox signed J.T. Snow in 2006, Lazor had worn the highest number in Red Sox history. Snow wore number 84 in honor of his father, Jack Snow, who played professional football, wore number 84 during his playing days, and died before the start of the 2006 season. Snow was later surpassed by Alfredo Aceves in 2011 for highest number worn in Red Sox history.