All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Ted Lyons

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Shane Youman.

Today, we feature Ted Lyons.

Born in Lake Charles in 1900, Lyons, a right-handed pitcher, played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, all with the Chicago White Sox, from 1923-1942, and again in 1946, and later became one of four players ever born in the state of Louisiana to ever be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Lyons missed three years of play, as he enlisted in the U.S. Marines following the 1942 season, and fought in the Pacific War.

After playing his high school baseball at Vinton High School, and then his college baseball at Baylor, Lyons was signed as an undrafted free agent by the White Sox.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Lyons made his big league debut in 1923, tossing one shutout inning against the Boston Red Sox.

In his rookie campaign, at the age of 23, Lyons went on to go 2-1 with a 6.33 ERA. over 22.1 innings.

In 1924, Lyons became a starting pitcher, and a good one, winning 12 games, before accumulating 21 wins his 1925, his first of three 20-win seasons, the only pitcher in White Sox history to accomplish the feat.

In 17 of 19 seasons, from 1924-1942, Lyons tallied double-digit wins, including a career-high 22 in both 1927 and 1930.

An All-Star in 1939, Lyons had his best season in 1927, going 22-14 with a 2.84 innings over a mind-blowing 307.2 innings pitched, while finishing third in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.

In 21 seasons, Lyons appeared in 594 games, including 484 as a starter, going 260-230 with a 3.67 ERA.

Following his playing days, Lyons managed the White Sox for three seasons, from 1946-1948, going 185-245.

Lyons later served as a scout for the White Sox, until his retirement in 1967.

In 1955, Lyons was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Lyons passed away in Sulphur in 1986, before having his #16 retired by the White Sox one year later.