Jerry Lynn

On September 19, 1937, Jerome “Jerry” Lynn, a 21-year-old infielder from Scranton, Pennsylvania, stepped onto the field at Griffith Stadium as the Washington Senators’ starting second baseman. He collected two hits, including a double, in three at-bats and flawlessly handled seven defensive chances, recording four putouts and three assists and turning two double plays.1 It was his only appearance in the major leagues, but it left him with a lifetime batting average of .667, one of the rarest lines in baseball history. For a young man who had grown up on the sandlots of Scranton, it was a remarkable culmination of years of persistence. Yet Jerry Lynn’s story was not defined solely by that one game. It was the story of a Depression-era athlete whose career wound through dozens of towns and leagues, who lost his prime years to World War II military service, and who remained devoted to both his family and the game of baseball long after his professional career ended.

Jerome Edward Lynn was born on April 14, 1916, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas A. and Alice Mangan Lynn.2 His father was a man of many pursuits: a popular  Irish tenor,3 a piano salesman,4 a hotel manager,5 and even a candidate for Congress.6 His mother, Alice, was a homemaker who raised Jerry and his siblings in Scranton’s North Side. Jerry grew up with four brothers and one sister in a lively Irish Catholic household. From an early age, he displayed a natural athleticism, excelling in both baseball and basketball at North Scranton Junior High School.7 By age 18, he stood 5-feet-10 and weighed 164 pounds; he batted and threw right-handed. As a local sportswriter noted, “He is still growing and gives promise of developing into a big and powerful slugger.”8  Though his primary position was second base, Lynn was versatile enough to play third, outfield, and even catcher at different points in his career.

Like many boys in Scranton during the Depression, Jerry’s real education came not only in classrooms, but also in the amateur baseball leagues of Lackawanna County. He played for Potomac A.C., the Providence Eurekas, Daleville, and Carbondale, as his reputation grew. In 1934, the 18-year-old Lynn began his professional career with the Jeannette Little Reds of the Pennsylvania State Association, a Class D affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.9 Managed by Ray Reynolds, the club was composed largely of teenagers getting their first taste of organized ball. Lynn batted .263 in 64 games,10 showing promise for a player who had been playing sandlot ball not that long ago. His season did not end with Jeannette; he also spent time with Beckley in the Middle Atlantic League and Mount Airy in the Bi-State League of North Carolina and Virginia. In fact, by the end of his first season, he had already experienced the itinerant life that defined so many minor leaguers.

Back home, Lynn tried out for the Scranton Miners of the New York-Pennsylvania League. Some local papers affectionately described him as “the freckle-faced North Scranton second sacker”11 who was competing with other amateurs for a roster spot. Manager Joe Shaute, a former Cleveland Indians pitcher, praised him early in camp, noting, “Lynn looks real good at second.” On the other hand, while acknowledging the young man’s potential, Shaute also observed that Lynn lacked confidence. He was an accurate thrower, but he was often “not sure of himself in fielding the ball.”12 Lynn had many local supporters, and he justified their faith by notching a double and single against Binghamton in an exhibition and a triple and single against the formidable Mohawk Giants, a traveling Black team from Schenectady. Yet, professional baseball was cruel. On May 4, 1935, the Miners released him.13 It was not a popular move, and local fans complained bitterly, saying he had been hitting well and deserved more of a chance.14

Rejections did not end Lynn’s ambition. He tried out with Elmira,15 but failed to make the team, then latched on with the Stroudsburg Poconos, a semipro team managed by “Honest” Eddie Murphy, a former Philadelphia Athletics star and veteran of the 1919 Chicago White Sox.16 Murphy had a reputation for developing young players, and he became a mentor for the young infielder, teaching him the craft of professional baseball. Lynn was soon “cracking the ball with a vengeance,” and “packing [more] drive in his swing.”17  By 1936, Lynn found himself playing a handful of games with the Wilkes-Barre Barons; he filled in at third base for a teammate who arrived too late for the game.18 And then, when another player got injured, that kept Lynn in the lineup.19 He even recorded a hit in a 1–0 loss to Binghamton, before being released again. That same year, he played in the Pocono Mountain League for Moscow, collecting two hits including a double in a May 18 game. He later joined the Carbondale Pioneers of theNorth Eastern Pennsylvania (NEP) League, a semipro circuit.20

The 1937 season became the defining highlight of Lynn’s baseball career. He began with the Winston-Salem Twins of the Piedmont League, where he batted .225 in 14 games, but soon joined the Salisbury Indians of the Eastern Shore League, a Washington Senators affiliate managed by Jake Flowers. Salisbury’s season became legendary for a bizarre scandal: the team was forced to forfeit 26 games for violating a rule about players with prior Class D experience. An ineligible player, Bob Brady, had appeared on the roster, and league president J. Thomas Kibler enforced the forfeitures. Before the ruling, Salisbury had been 21–5; afterward, the team’s official record was 0–26.21 Against this chaotic backdrop, the Indians staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in minor league history. From their 0–26 start, they went on to win 49 of their next 59 games and captured the league championship. Lynn starred at second base, batting .342 with seven home runs and 60 RBIs in 93 games, leading the league in batting. Sportswriters were impressed: one remarked that Lynn “has been covering second base like Charley Gehringer and hitting like Joe] DiMaggio.”22

At season’s end, Washington owner Clark Griffith purchased five of Salisbury’s contracts, including Lynn’s. On September 19, 1937, he made his lone major-league appearance for the Senators. Frank Trechock, also a Salisbury alum, made his debut in the first game, while Lynn made his debut in the second game. Manager Bucky Harris told sportswriters that, while he regarded both young men as prospects, they were “simply [not] ready for this league.” But on the other hand, Lynn got some favorable press, with one beat writer saying he “showed signs of developing into a major league prospect.”23 The next day, Lynn played in an exhibition against the Philadelphia Athletics at Salisbury’s Gordy Park,24 going hitless in four trips against three Athletics pitchers.

Though his major-league window closed quickly, Lynn remained in professional baseball. In 1938, he joined the Charlotte Hornets of the Class B Piedmont League,25 managed by Calvin Griffith, and hit a career-best 10 home runs while batting .297 in 137 games.¹⁷ The following year he played for the Springfield, Massachusetts, Nationals of the Eastern League, Washington’s Class A affiliate. Springfield hadn’t had a team since 1934, and the fans were delighted that baseball was back.26 They loved Lynn almost immediately: playing in the team’s first home exhibition game, he slugged a three-run homer. He proved to be a streaky hitter, but he got some clutch hits, and he often hit for power: in late July, he was batting .299, and sportswriters said he was one of the reasons the team was leading the Eastern League.27

Lynn was often described as likable and popular; perhaps fans also enjoyed the fact that he was a singer like his dad.28 In late July, a group of Springfield fans decided to honor him. “Jerry Lynn Night” took place on August 1, 1939, and an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 4,000 attended; his father and three of his brothers came from Scranton to enjoy the happy occasion.29 Among the gifts Lynn received were a traveling bag, a portable radio, a loving cup, and some clothing.30 He responded by helping Springfield sweep a doubleheader.

Lynn ended up batting .272 that season. In 1940, he was traded to the Williamsport Grays, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics, where he began learning the craft of catching in addition to playing second base.31 Spencer Abbott, who managed Lynn during his stint with Springfield in 1939, praised the decision, saying “[It] wouldn’t surprise me if he enjoys a long and colorful career as a catcher in major league baseball. … Jerry really wants to make good as a diamond star.”32 Unfortunately, Lynn’s offense slumped to .223 in 73 games, and then World War II intervened.

By May of 1941, Lynn was in uniform again—but not for the Athletics. Drafted into the Army,33 he trained as a military policeman at Aberdeen Proving Ground. “There,” he told a reporter, pointing to his suitcase, “is a bag I packed to go to training camp with the Philadelphia Athletics. Well, I went to training camp all right, but not with the A’s. It was with Uncle Sam and right here at Aberdeen.”34 He expected to miss only one season, but his service extended more than three years. All of his brothers also entered the Armed Forces: Joseph (himself a ballplayer),35 Edmund, and Thomas in the Army, and Leo in the Navy.²¹ Jerry rose to the rank of corporal in the European Theatre and captained an Army championship softball team in 1943.36

By 1945 he was recuperating in a French hospital before returning home.37 He admitted he had not handled a baseball in years, but he was determined to resume his baseball career. In 1946, he latched on as a catcher with Spartanburg of the Class B Tri-State League,38 hitting .312 at age 30. That summer he married Mary Alice York of South Carolina, a former sergeant in the Women’s Army Corps whom he had met during the war.39 The couple settled in Spartanburg, and Lynn continued to play, joining the Rock Hill Chiefs in 1947 and batting .304 in 55 games, then returning in 1948 as a utility player while hitting .263. For a brief time, he even shared the field with his younger brother Joe. By 1949, he was managing in the Central Carolina League and catching for Clinton.

Lynn’s professional playing days wound down in the early 1950s. He returned to Scranton and managed the North Scranton Recreation team while also working as an umpire in local amateur and industrial leagues; at times, he even got into the lineup himself.40 He found employment as a bartender and beer salesman, often working in the family tavern. Tragedy struck in 1952 when his wife Mary Alice died at just 34 after a lengthy illness.41 Jerry himself died on September 25, 1972, at the age of 56, and was buried at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.42

Jerry Lynn’s career may be remembered primarily for a single afternoon in 1937 when he briefly shone in the major leagues, but his story reflects the journey of countless players of his era—a talented sandlot kid who chased the dream of baseball through small towns and minor leagues, who traded his glove for a military policeman’s baton in service of his country, and who carried the love of baseball with him throughout his entire life.

Acknowledgments

This biography was developed from Richard Kane’s 2026 story, “Jerry Lynn, Scranton’s one hit wonder,” on his NEPA Sports History blog. Donna Halper conducted additional research and verified the sources. Rory Costello and Abigail Miskowiec also reviewed the story; members of SABR’s fact-checking team checked for accuracy.

Photo credit: Jerry Lynn, Baseball-Reference.com.

Notes

1 Francis E. Stan, “Newest of Griffmen’s Rookies to Be Farmed for Needed Experience,” Washington (DC) Evening Star, September 20, 1937: A-15.

2 Documents available on Ancestry.com, including his birth certificate and his 1942 Draft Card, verify this information. A 1916 birth announcement in the local newspaper only said that “the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lynn” had been “brightened by the arrival of a baby boy.” “North Scranton Notes,” Scranton (Pennsylvania) Republican, April 22, 1916: 11.

3 “Thomas Lynn Dies After Illness,” Scranton Tribune, December 4, 1971: 7.

4 “First Baby Girl Comes to Home of Thomas Lynn,” Scranton Times, November 7, 1928: 33.

5 “Thomas Lynn Dies After Illness,” Scranton Tribune, December 4, 1971: 7.

6 “New Democratic Club Formed in Third Ward,” Scranton Times, April 13, 1934: 22.

7 While some sources say Lynn attended high school, local reporters say he did not. For example, Joe Polakoff, “Polley’s Chatter,” Scranton Republican, January 29, 1936: 24.

8 Ed Kelly, “Kel-e-Graphs,” Scranton Republican, June 16, 1934: 15.

9 “Potomac A.C. Players Who Report to Reds’ Farm Club,” Scranton Times, March 21, 1934: 24.

10 Stats for Lynn’s minor-league career can be found at https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lynn–002jer

11 Joe Polakoff, “Polley’s Chatter,” Scranton Republican, May 23, 1935: 16.

12 “Jerry Lynn May Win Shortstop Post with Team,” Scranton Times, April 23, 1935: 21.

13 “Sunday Game in City; Shaute Releases Three,” Scranton Times, May 4, 1935: 13.

14 Joe Polakoff, “Polley’s Chatter,” Scranton Republican, May 6, 1935: 14.

15 “Goes With Pioneers,” Hazleton (Pennsylvania) Plain Speaker, June 6, 1935: 14.

16 John Heeg, “Eddie Murphy.” SABR BioProject, https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/eddie-murphy/. Accessed October 1, 2026.

17 Joe Polakoff, “Polley’s Chatter,” Scranton Republican, July 26, 1935: 16.

18 Milton Miller, “Steady Hurling by Apley Donald Shuts Out Wilkes-Barre Barons,” Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Record, May 8, 1936: 25.

19 “Barons to Meet Williamsport in Double Header Today,” Wilkes-Barre Record, May 14, 1936: 19.

20 “Shakeup in Carbondale Climaxes Sandlot Shifts,” Scranton Republican, June 6, 1936: 14.

21 Barry Sparks, “Comebacks and Fisticuffs: The Eastern Shore Baseball League, 1922-1949,” The National Pastime: Monumental Baseball (SABR, 2009), https://sabr.org/journal/article/comebacks-and-fisticuffs/. Accessed October 1, 2026.

22 “Tribal Trends,” Salisbury (Maryland) Times, August 9, 1937: 6.

23 Francis E. Stan, “Rookies to Finish Year in Nat Lineup,” Washington Evening Star, September 25, 1937: 11.

24 “Exhibition Base Ball Games,” Salisbury Times, September 20, 1937: 7.

25 Joe Polakoff, “Polley’s Chatter,” Scranton Republican, November 21, 1937: 26.

26 J. Earl Chevalier, “Nats Drub Salisbury 11-2, in First Home Start,” Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican, April 23, 1939: 1B.

27 J. Earl Chevalier, “Doljack and Monteagudo Helpful in Bold Stand,” Springfield Republican, July 25, 1939: 4.

28 “Dishing the Dirt,” Scranton Scrantonian, May 27, 1945: 29.

29 Walter Graham, “Nats Out to Make Sweep of Series by Winning Tonight,” Springfield Daily News, August 2, 1939: 18.

30 J. Earl Chevalier, “Nationals Shut Out Scranton in Double, 2-0, 1-0,” Springfield Republican, August 2, 1939: 11-12.

31 “Lynn Traded to Grays by Springfield,” Scranton Scrantonian, January 28, 1940: 25.

32 Joe M. Butler, “The Sportscope,” Scranton Times, February 12, 1940: 15.

33 “Jerry Lynn and 24 Others from Here Sent to Camp,” Scranton Tribune, April 4, 1941: 3.

34 Paul Broderick, “Ball Trip Halted by Service Draft,” Baltimore Evening Sun, July 28, 1941: 19.

35 Joe M. Butler, “The Sportscope,” Scranton Times, November 27, 1946: 15.

36 “Scranton Boy Captains Team in Playoff for U.S. Army Title,” Scranton Times, October 5, 1943: 9.

37 “Dishing the Dirt,” Scranton Scrantonian, May 27, 1945: 29.

38 Chic Feldman, “Hatchin’ ’Em Out,” Scranton Tribune, July 4, 1946: 12.

39 “Catcher Lynn Marries Here,” Anderson (South Carolina) Daily Mail, June 8, 1946: 1.

40 “Midvalley Faces Little Loop Test in West Pittston,” Scranton Times, August 6, 1952: 36.

41 Joe M. Butler, “The Sportscope,” Scranton Times, August 5, 1952: 21.

42 “Death Claims Ex-Ballplayer,” Scranton Times, September 26, 1972: 26.