Major League Baseball Player. For eleven seasons (1951 to 1954 and 1956 to 1962), he was a pitcher with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Born Omar Joseph Lown, he attended Brooklyn High School, where he participated in baseball and basketball. Signed as an amateur free agent by his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers, his Minor League career was interrupted while he served with the United States Army during World War II. Lown saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart after he was struck in the right thigh by a piece of shrapnel. He marked his debut with the Cubs on April 24, 1951 and pitched in 31 games that year. Following his conversion to reliever, he led the league in appearances with 67 in 1957. After he was acquired by the White Sox, he led the league with 15 saves in 1959, as a contributor to the Chicago team which clinched the American League Pennant. He formed a highly-effective bullpen combo with Gerry Staley. Lown pitched in three games during the 1959 World Series without allowing a run. In 504 regular season games, he compiled a 55 win, 61 loss record with a 4.12 ERA. After leaving baseball, he worked as a postal carrier for more than twenty years. He died from leukemia.
Major League Baseball Player. For eleven seasons (1951 to 1954 and 1956 to 1962), he was a pitcher with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Born Omar Joseph Lown, he attended Brooklyn High School, where he participated in baseball and basketball. Signed as an amateur free agent by his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers, his Minor League career was interrupted while he served with the United States Army during World War II. Lown saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart after he was struck in the right thigh by a piece of shrapnel. He marked his debut with the Cubs on April 24, 1951 and pitched in 31 games that year. Following his conversion to reliever, he led the league in appearances with 67 in 1957. After he was acquired by the White Sox, he led the league with 15 saves in 1959, as a contributor to the Chicago team which clinched the American League Pennant. He formed a highly-effective bullpen combo with Gerry Staley. Lown pitched in three games during the 1959 World Series without allowing a run. In 504 regular season games, he compiled a 55 win, 61 loss record with a 4.12 ERA. After leaving baseball, he worked as a postal carrier for more than twenty years. He died from leukemia.
Bio by: C.S.
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