| Red Lynn | |
|---|---|
 Lynn, circa 1946 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: December 27, 1913 Kenney, Texas | |
| Died: October 27, 1977 (aged 63) Bellville, Texas | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 25, 1939, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last appearance | |
| October 1, 1944, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 10–8 |
| Earned run average | 3.95 |
| Strikeouts | 85 |
| Teams | |
Japhet Monroe Lynn (December 27, 1913 – October 27, 1977) was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1939–40 and 1944. He would play for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and New York Giants.[1] Although is MLB career lasted only three seasons, his professional baseball career encompassed 23 seasons.[2]
Listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and weighing 162 lb (73 kg), the Kenney, Texas native was said to be ambidextrous. Although Lynn only pitched right-handed in games, he sometimes threw batting practice left-handed.[3]
Several highlights of Lynn's minor league career came in 1937 while pitching for the Jacksonville Jax (Jacksonville, Texas in the East Texas League), when he posted a 32–13 win–loss record (leading all of professional baseball), 2.65 ERA with 233 strikeouts. He also had a breakout year in 1943 while pitching for the Los Angeles Angels in the Pacific Coast League finishing the year with a league-leading 21–8 record and 2.47 ERA.[2][3]
Lynn "once told The Sporting News, 'I was a real yokel when it came to pitching. In my first game, when the catcher held down one finger, I thought he wanted me to hold the ball with one finger. I didn't know I was supposed to pitch a fast ball, which happened to be my only pitch. So I held the ball with one finger and it sailed over the catcher's head. When he held down two fingers (for a curve) I put two fingers on the ball. I was really dumb.'"[3]
In Lynn's brief three-season MLB career, he compiled a 10–8 record, 3.95 ERA, and 85 strikeouts, while surrendering 85 walks.[4]
Lynn work diverse jobs during the off-season including involvement in boxing and wrestling as well as a rodeo cowboy and railroad laborer.[3]
Lynn died on October 27, 1977, in Bellville, Texas.