Hall of Fame
Blondy Ryan came to Holy Cross from Lynn, Mass., and immediately established himself as a fine two-sport athlete for the Crusaders.
In 1926 as a member of the Holy Cross football squad, Ryan threw two touchdown passes to Hymie Shanahan as the Crusaders posted a 19-14 victory at Harvard.
Baseball was the sport where Ryan gained the most fame. He was the star shortstop on Holy Cross’ 1929 and 1930 Eastern Collegiate championship teams. During the 1929 season, Ryan led the team with a .424 batting average.
After graduation, he signed with the Chicago White Sox and hit a home run on his first time at bat at Comiskey Park. Ryan went on to play six seasons in the Major Leagues with the White Sox, New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. In 1933, he helped the Giants to the World Series championship while finishing ninth in the National League most valuable player voting.
After his baseball career he joined the Navy in World War II and served with Naval Intelligence, reaching the rank of Lieutenant.
Ryan passed away in 1959.
