Lynn Lovenguth

From BR Bullpen

Lynn Richard Lovenguth

Bats Left, Throws Right
Weight 170 lb.

Debut April 18, 1955
Final Game September 27, 1957
Born November 29, 1922 in Camden, NY USA
Died September 29, 2000 in Beaverton, OR USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Lynn Lovenguth pitched 16 games in the majors but was more prominent for his minor league accomplishments, including International League Pitcher of the Year in 1956. Most of his major league games were with the 1955 Phillies, a team that went 77-77. Lovenguth was a 32-year-old rookie who along with 32-year-old Bob Kuzava was the oldest pitcher on the staff other than 38-year-old Murry Dickson.

Lovenguth had a long minor league career, pitching in the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's. He started in 1946 with Schenectady, and from 1950-59 was in the International League except when he was in the majors. When he was sent down by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958, he went to the Rochester Red Wings, where he predicted "I'll win 20 games." He had gone 14-15 with the Red Wings in 1957, and in 1958 he was sold in August. He had complained about the lack of defensive support, and eventually the manager Cot Deal kicked him out of the dugout. Lovenguth left the team, and was suspended and then sold to Columbus. (Source: Rochester baseball 1958).

He appeared in 13 games for the 1960 Tacoma Giants, posting a 3.81 ERA on a team that also featured Juan Marichal in 18 games with a 3.11 ERA. In 1961 the Tacoma Giants won the PCL championship, and Lynn posted a 2.95 ERA in 14 games. The only pitcher on the staff with a better ERA was Gaylord Perry.