RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Ted Lyons, a right-handed pitcher, spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the Chicago White Sox. Born on December 28, 1900, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Lyons attended Baylor University, where he played college baseball before signing with the White Sox in 1923. His career spanned over two decades, during which he became one of the most reliable
Close
Ted Lyons, a right-handed pitcher, spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the Chicago White Sox. Born on December 28, 1900, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Lyons attended Baylor University, where he played college baseball before signing with the White Sox in 1923. His career spanned over two decades, during which he became one of the most reliable pitchers of his era.
Lyons made his debut with the White Sox on July 2, 1923. Although he did not possess an overpowering fastball, he was known for his exceptional control and ability to outthink hitters. His pitching style relied heavily on a mix of pitches, including a curveball and a knuckleball, which kept batters off balance. Over the years, Lyons developed a reputation for his durability and consistency on the mound.
In 1925, Lyons led the American League in wins with 21, marking the first of several standout seasons. He was a workhorse for the White Sox, regularly pitching over 200 innings per season. One of his most remarkable achievements came on August 21, 1926, when he pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, a testament to his skill and precision.
Throughout the 1930s, Lyons continued to be a mainstay in the White Sox rotation. Despite playing for a team that often struggled in the standings, he consistently posted impressive individual statistics. In 1930, he led the league in innings pitched with 297.2 and complete games with 29. His ability to pitch deep into games was a hallmark of his career, and he frequently ranked among the league leaders in complete games.
Lyons' career took a unique turn in 1942 when he transitioned to a role as a "Sunday pitcher." Due to the demands of World War II and the shortage of players, the White Sox used him primarily on Sundays, allowing him to extend his career while also serving in the military. This arrangement proved beneficial for both Lyons and the team, as he continued to deliver strong performances on the mound.
In 1943, at the age of 42, Lyons had one of his best seasons, posting a league-leading ERA of 2.10. His ability to maintain such a high level of performance at an advanced age was a testament to his skill and adaptability. Lyons' final season came in 1946, after which he retired with a career record of 260 wins, 230 losses, and an ERA of 3.67.
Following his playing career, Lyons briefly managed the White Sox from 1946 to 1948. Although his managerial stint was not as illustrious as his playing days, he remained a respected figure in the baseball community. In recognition of his achievements, Lyons was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.
⚾
Related Content
Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Ted Lyons Biography
Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more...
/ Reach's Official Base Ball Guide was a direct competitor of the Spalding Guide and It was generally considered more comprehensive than the Spalding Guide in its coverage.
It was the official publication of the American Association from 1883 until 1892, and was the American League's official publication beginning in 1902. In 1940, Spalding aquired A.J. Reach & Co. and consequently merged the two guide.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams...
/ Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams in the first half of the book and extensive statistics on the previous season in the second half of the book.
Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams...
/ Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams in the first half of the book and extensive statistics on the previous season in the second half of the book.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in...
/ Gene Mack began his career as cartoonist for the sports pages of the Boston Globe in 1915. The cartoons in this collection depict Major League ball parks and famous players of the era. Accompanying each full page cartoon is a page of text featuring a little history and a description of the field pictured.