Lawrence J. Dolan, the owner of the Cleveland Guardians, died at the age of 94 on Monday, according to a news release.
“We are saddened by the loss of our Dad, but lucky to have him as part of our lives as long as we did,” said Larry’s son Paul Dolan, the Cleveland Guardians’ owner, chairman and CEO, in a family statement. “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.”
Larry Dolan bought the baseball club 25 years ago, in February 2000. In 2013, Paul Dolan became the organization’s primary control person.
The Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Cleveland Indians, found success under the Dolan ownership team. In the past 24 seasons, the team has made it into the postseason nine times, earned seven American League Central Division titles, had two AL Wild Card appearances, three AL Championship appearances and, of course, appeared in the 2016 World Series.
“Cleveland sadly lost one of their own last night,” said Bob DiBiasio, Guardians’ senior vice president of public affairs, in a statement. “Mr. Dolan invested his entire life in Greater Cleveland and impacted our community on so many levels. From his service to our country as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marines, his many philanthropic acts of kindness, career in law, business, education, and sports, many benefited from his engagement, influence, and passion. Especially in the world of sports. We are forever grateful for his passion in supporting the Northeast Ohio community and our franchise; through his initial leadership the Dolan family continues to be the longest-tenured owners in franchise history.”
Larry Dolan grew up in Cleveland Heights and played football at St. Ignatius High School. He later got his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Notre Dame, then served in the U.S. Marine Corps and attained the rank of first lieutenant. In his law career, he worked as the assistant prosecuting attorney for Geauga County before becoming the president and managing partner of the Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan law firm.
Larry Dolan’s family — his wife, Eva, six children and 21 grandchildren — stated in a news release that it would plan private funeral arrangements.
