Remembering Larry Dolan: The Legacy of Cleveland Guardians’ Owner Who Passed Away at 94

Larry Dolan, the man who owned the Cleveland baseball team for a remarkable 24 years, passed away on Sunday at the age of 94. His family, including his son Paul Dolan, shared their sadness at his passing, expressing gratitude for the time they shared with him.

A proud Clevelander, Larry Dolan started following the team as a kid. He bought the Cleveland Indians in 2000 for $323 million from Richard Jacobs, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise. This purchase came at a time when the team was facing a major transition, moving away from its former dominance in the league toward rebuilding.

Under the Dolan family’s leadership, the team has had its share of success. They achieved seven AL Central titles and made it to the playoffs multiple times, including a significant run to the American League pennant. However, the team continues to seek its first championship since 1948.

Since Larry took ownership, the Indians have posted a winning percentage of .519. This places them seventh among all major league teams—a remarkable feat considering the ups and downs the franchise has experienced.

In 2013, Larry’s son Paul became the main face of the ownership group. Following this, they began planning to hand over majority ownership. After a lengthy search, the team welcomed David Blitzer as a minority owner in 2022, who is set to take over majority control in the future.

Before the Dolans, Alva Bradley held the record for the longest ownership, guiding the club from 1927 to 1946. The Dolan family was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards in 2020, despite facing periodic criticism regarding team payrolls.

Key figures in the organization, like Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff, have also contributed to the team’s stability and success over the years, spending decades in key roles without jumping to other teams. Manager Terry Francona led the team for 11 seasons and helped shape its identity during Larry’s tenure.

Beyond baseball, Larry was a respected lawyer and community advocate, involved with various organizations, including the Cleveland Foundation and the American Red Cross. He earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and was deeply committed to serving his local community.

The baseball world feels the loss of Larry Dolan, who was not just an owner but a passionate supporter of the team and its fans. His legacy will surely be remembered by all who followed his journey with the Cleveland franchise.

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Cleveland Guardians, MLB