Don Lund facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Don Lund |
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| Outfielder / Coach | |||
| Born: May 18, 1923 Detroit, Michigan |
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| Died: December 10, 2013 (aged 90) Ann Arbor, Michigan |
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| debut | |||
| July 3, 1945, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 29, 1954, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .240 | ||
| Home runs | 15 | ||
| Runs batted in | 86 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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Donald "Don" Andrew Lund (born May 18, 1923 – died December 10, 2013) was an American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. Don Lund played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers. He was known for being a talented athlete in many sports.
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Early Life and Sports Talent
Don Lund was born in Detroit, Michigan. He went to Detroit Southeastern High School. After high school, he attended the University of Michigan. There, he was amazing at three different sports! He earned special recognition in baseball, football, and basketball.
Choosing a Career Path
In 1945, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Don Lund to play baseball. That same year, the Chicago Bears picked him in the first round of the 1945 NFL Draft. They wanted him to be a running back in professional football. But Don Lund decided that baseball was the best choice for his career.
Playing in Major League Baseball
Don Lund played in Major League Baseball for seven seasons. He was mostly a backup player for the Brooklyn Dodgers and St. Louis Browns from 1945 to 1948. He batted and threw with his right hand.
Best Season with the Tigers
His best year was in 1953 when he played for the Detroit Tigers. He was the main right fielder for the team. That year, he had his highest numbers in many areas:
- His batting average was .257.
- He hit nine home runs.
- He had 47 runs batted in (RBI).
- He made 108 hits.
- He played in 131 games played.
On June 18, 1953, Don Lund was part of a memorable game. He made the last out in right field when the Boston team scored a record 17 runs in one inning against the Tigers. His last season was in 1954. He played as a backup for a young player named Al Kaline.
Career Stats Summary
During his seven years in the major leagues, Don Lund played 281 games. He had a .240 batting average. He hit 15 home runs and had 86 RBI.
After Playing Baseball
After his time as a player, Don Lund continued his career in baseball. He became a head baseball coach at the University of Michigan.
Coaching Success
Under his leadership, the Wolverines baseball team won the College World Series in 1962. This was a huge achievement for the team! He also coached for the Detroit Tigers. From 1963 to 1970, he was in charge of their farm system. A farm system helps young players get ready for the major leagues.
Awards and Recognition
Don Lund was recognized for his amazing contributions to sports.
- In 1984, he was added to the Michigan Hall of Honor. This was for his skills as a player in football, baseball, and basketball, and also for his coaching.
- In 1987, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2009, a book was written about Don Lund's life. It was called "Playing Ball with Legends: The Story and the Stories of Don Lund."
Don Lund passed away on December 10, 2013, at the age of 90. He died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
