Blondy Ryan
Encyclopedia
John Collins "Blondy" Ryan (January 4, 1906 – November 28, 1959) was an American
shortstop
in Major League Baseball
who is remembered primarily for his fielding and his starring for the New York Giants
' 1933 World Series
winners. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts
, he was signed by the Chicago White Sox
in 1930 as an amateur free agent. In 87 at bat
s, however, Ryan batted
only .207 and showed none of the range that later became his hallmark. In 1932, he was traded to the Giants for Doc Marshall
, who never played in the major leagues again after the trade. The next year he was at his best. Despite making 41 errors
, Ryan's range factor
was 0.47 above the league's. He had 125 hits
. He slumped badly in the field in 1934. The Giants then traded him in a four-player deal to get All-Star
shortstop Dick Bartell
. Ryan never regained the form he had shown in 1933, however. After a decent 1935 as a backup, Ryan only accumulated 99 at bats after that year. He died at age 53 in Swampscott, Massachusetts
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who is remembered primarily for his fielding and his starring for the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
' 1933 World Series
1933 World Series
The 1933 World Series featured the New York Giants and the Washington Senators, with the Giants winning in five games for their first championship since , and their fourth overall....
winners. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
, he was signed by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in 1930 as an amateur free agent. In 87 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, however, Ryan batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
only .207 and showed none of the range that later became his hallmark. In 1932, he was traded to the Giants for Doc Marshall
Doc Marshall (infielder)
Edward Harbert "Doc" Marshall was an infielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Giants from 1929 to 1932.-External links:...
, who never played in the major leagues again after the trade. The next year he was at his best. Despite making 41 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
, Ryan's range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
was 0.47 above the league's. He had 125 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. He slumped badly in the field in 1934. The Giants then traded him in a four-player deal to get All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
shortstop Dick Bartell
Dick Bartell
Richard William Bartell , nicknamed "Rowdy Richard," was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball. One of the most ferocious competitors of his era, he won both admirers and critics at each stop during a career which saw him traded every few seasons, often under acrimonious circumstances...
. Ryan never regained the form he had shown in 1933, however. After a decent 1935 as a backup, Ryan only accumulated 99 at bats after that year. He died at age 53 in Swampscott, Massachusetts
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Swampscott is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States located 15 miles up the coast from Boston in an area known as the North Shore. The population is 13,787...
.