Larry Dolan, the Guardians’ owner, died at the age of 94, the team said Monday.
Dolan was a Cleveland native with a passion for baseball. When he first started looking for a way to own a professional sports team, his favorite team was not for sale. But, after a few denials, the right chance presented itself in 2000, when owner Dick Jacobs put the Cleveland Indians up for sale.
Dolan did not hesitate.
He attempted to purchase the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League, both of which were located near his future employer. When most people would be thinking about retiring, Dolan was pushing one of his favorite pastimes to its limits as he approached his 70th birthday. He got his dream job: owning his favorite baseball team.
“The sale of this franchise to Larry Dolan fulfills my strong desire to turn the team over to someone who is deeply committed to Cleveland and its tremendous fans,” Jacobs remarked in a 1999 ESPN article. “Larry and his family have the enthusiasm and strongest desire to continue the success of this ballclub well into the new century.”
Dolan took over an Indians franchise that had sold out every night for five years in a row after the 1990s teams revitalized Cleveland baseball. Over the next decade, the team had both success and setbacks.
It won the AL Central only twice in the first 11 seasons of Dolan’s leadership, finishing 885-897. CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, however, earned AL Cy Young Awards during that period, while skipper Eric Wedge was named Manager of the Year in 2007.
All of this occurred completely under Dolan’s watch. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2010 that Dolan stated he’d be giving over his position (chairman and CEO) and most of his day-to-day responsibilities to his oldest son, Paul, at the end of the season. Paul was the only one of Dolan’s six children who was heavily involved in the baseball team, having previously served as the club’s president before being promoted.
“We are saddened by the loss of our father, but grateful to have had him in our lives for as long as we did,” stated Guardians Owner/Chairman/CEO and son Paul Dolan on behalf of the whole family. “He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was passionate about his family, work, our community and his love of our local sports teams, including owning the Cleveland Guardians.”
Lawrence J. Dolan was born February 8, 1931, in Cleveland Heights. He attended St. Ignatius High School and was an avid sports lover. He played both baseball and football, although he preferred the former. He concentrated on his studies in college, attending the University of Notre Dame and earning a law degree in 1956. Dolan joined the United States Marine Corps shortly after finishing school and rose to the rank of first lieutenant in just two years.
Following his service, Dolan used his legal degree to establish a private practice. He then became the president and managing partner of Thrasher, Dinsmore, and Dolan, based in Chardon, Ohio. The company is still in operation today, with his son Matthew representing the family name.
Dolan transitioned from lawyer to owner when he purchased the Indians for $323 million in 2000. Dolan’s ambition was to bring a few titles to his hometown, which hadn’t seen one since 1948. He didn’t get to see that goal come true during his lifetime, but he did see his club make it all the way to Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, which the Cubs won.
During his tenure as Cleveland’s owner, Dolan desired to be active with his players. Jordan Bastain of MLB.com said in his blog in 2011 that Dolan was on Field 1 during Spring Training, watching batting practice and talking with players. He also planned to go out to supper with his front office and coaching staff during this time.
