Doc Lavan, baseball player, 1913-1924

Doc Lavan

Born: 10/28/1890 in Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Died: 5/29/1952 in Detroit, MI, USA

MLB Debut: 1913-06-22 | Final Game: 1924-05-04

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 151 lbs

Full name: John Leonard Lavan

Biography

Doc Lavan was a professional baseball player who played primarily as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1913 until his retirement in 1924. Born in 1890, Lavanโ€™s career spanned over a decade, during which he participated in 1,163 games. He recorded 954 hits, contributing to a batting average of .245, alongside 7 home runs and 377 RBIs. Known for his speed on the basepaths, Lavan also successfully stole 71 bases throughout his career, showcasing his ability to impact the game beyond just hitting. Lavan played during a transformative period in baseball, characterized by the transition from the deadball era to a more offensive style of play. Despite not being a prolific home run hitter, his overall contributions to the teams he played for were significant. Lavan's versatility and steady presence in the infield made him a reliable player, and he remains an interesting figure in the annals of early 20th-century baseball, representing the hard-nosed style of play that characterized the era.

Negro Leagues Career Statistics

Batting

PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG OPS
32.0 32.0 5.0 11.0 1.0 0 0 2.0 0 1.0 2.0 0.344 0.344 0.375 0.719

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1163 3891 338 954 134 45 7 377 71 209 376 0.245 0.288 0.308 0.596 -9178.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 3 0 14 1 1 1
2B 10 0 16 19 3 3
3B 9 0 8 20 2 1
OF 1 0 0 0 0 0
SS 1126 0 2451 3628 455 559

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 3
Second Base 10
Third Base 10
Shortstop 1126
Center Field 1

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Hope College Holland MI 1909, 1910
University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 1912, 1913