Don Lund – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Lund wrapped up his major league baseball career in 1954 after seven seasons as an outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers. Even though he finished playing that summer, his journey through professional baseball was just one chapter in a pretty remarkable athletic career that stretched over decades and several roles in the sport.

Lund hit .240 with 15 home runs and 86 RBIs in 281 games during his major league run from 1945 to 1954. He started on the path to the majors at the University of Michigan, where he pulled off the rare feat of earning nine letters in football, basketball, and baseball before signing straight with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945.

The Detroit native’s story goes way beyond stats. He stood out early as an athlete, became one of three players signed alongside Jackie Robinson in 1947, and made a bigger mark on the game as a scout, coach, and executive after he hung up his cleats. His work after playing shaped championship teams and helped develop future major league talent.

Early Life and Education

Donald Andrew Lund grew up in Detroit during the Great Depression. His athletic talents showed up early at Southeastern High School.

His standout performances in several sports earned him recognition and a scholarship to the University of Michigan. There, he developed into a top athlete.

Childhood in Detroit

Donald Andrew Lund was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1920s. He grew up in a working-class family in the Motor City, back when baseball was really becoming America’s pastime.

Detroit offered a rich baseball environment for young athletes. The city’s sandlot programs and youth leagues gave Lund his first taste of organized baseball.

He showed natural athletic ability in elementary school. Lund didn’t just play baseball—he thrived in football and basketball too.

The Great Depression made life tough. Like a lot of families then, the Lunds faced financial hardships, so every opportunity mattered.

Baseball became his escape and passion. He spent countless hours playing neighborhood games and working on his skills.

Southeastern High School Achievements

At Southeastern High School, Lund turned into a multi-sport star. He excelled in baseball, football, and basketball.

Baseball accomplishments:

• Played several positions skillfully
• Led the team in batting average as a senior
• Earned all-city honors

Football achievements:

• Served as team captain in his senior year
• Played both offense and defense
• Got recognition from local newspapers for leadership

Coaches praised his work ethic and natural ability. Lund’s versatility made him valuable in every sport he played.

College recruiters started noticing him as a junior. His mix of talent and academics made him a solid prospect.

University of Michigan Years

Lund began at the University of Michigan in the early 1940s. He joined both the baseball and football programs, continuing his multi-sport journey.

He played under some renowned coaches, who helped him refine his skills. Michigan’s strong athletic tradition gave him top-notch training and competition.

He especially stood out in baseball. Lund played outfield and hit well throughout his college career.

Key college stats:

• Kept a batting average above .300 in several seasons
• Helped his teams win games
• Turned into a reliable defensive player

His time at Michigan got him ready for pro baseball. The education and athletic growth he gained laid the foundation for his big-league career.

World War II interrupted his college experience, just as it did for so many young men at the time. That pause ended up shaping his future path to professional baseball.

Professional Baseball Career

Don Lund played pro baseball for seven seasons from 1945 to 1954, finishing with a .240 batting average, 15 home runs, and 86 RBIs in 281 games. He suited up for three Major League teams: the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers.

Major League Baseball Debut

Lund made his MLB debut on July 1, 1945, with the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 22. Legendary scout George Sisler brought him to meet Branch Rickey in New York, and Lund signed straight to a major league contract.

He had just graduated from Michigan, where he was a nine-letter athlete. When Rickey asked what it would take to sign him, Lund just said, “$7,500 and a major league contract.”

His first season was short. He only appeared in four games, with no hits in three at-bats, before the Dodgers sent him to St. Paul in the American Association. There, he hit .263 in 72 games to finish out his rookie year.

Brooklyn Dodgers Tenure

Lund’s most significant time with the Dodgers happened in 1947 and 1948. He started the 1947 season on the big-league roster alongside Jackie Robinson and Spider Jorgensen, all three signing contracts on the same day.

After a tough start in 1947, the Dodgers sent him to St. Paul, where he hit .280 with 16 home runs in 90 games. He returned to the Dodgers in September as they clinched the pennant.

He made a splash late in the season. On September 12, he hit his first big-league home run as a pinch-hitter against Cardinals pitcher Howie Pollet. He finished 1947 with a .300 average on six hits in 20 at-bats.

In 1948, he struggled at the plate, hitting just .188. The Dodgers sold him on waivers to the St. Louis Browns on June 28.

St. Louis Browns Period

Lund’s time with the St. Louis Browns was short but productive. He later recalled learning about the trade while reading the newspaper at dinner.

The Browns mostly used him as a platoon player against left-handed pitching. St. Louis was “very hot,” as he remembered, but he appreciated staying in the majors.

He played in 63 games for the sixth-place Browns and hit .248 with three home runs. That performance earned him a sale to his hometown Detroit Tigers before the 1949 season.

Detroit Tigers Accomplishments

Joining the Detroit Tigers let Lund fulfill a [childhood dream](https://www.baseballbiographies.com/charlie-gehringer-baseball-player-retired

Awards and Honors

Don Lund made a real mark as both a player and a coach. People recognized his impact by inducting him into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1984 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. His standout coaching moment? That came in 1962, when he led the University of Michigan baseball team to the NCAA championship.

University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor Induction

In 1984, Don Lund joined the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor. The university celebrated his wild run as a nine-letter athlete who played football, basketball, and baseball.

Lund did some incredible things at Michigan. He played fullback on the 1943 football team, which shared the Western Athletic Conference championship with a perfect 6-0 record.

By 1944, he served as co-captain and earned the title of Most Valuable Player on the team. He really left his mark on the field.

Lund also shined in baseball at Michigan. He kept a .307 batting average during college and led the team as captain in his senior year.

Under his leadership, the baseball team grabbed conference championships in both 1944 and 1945.

The Hall of Honor induction set him apart as one of the few athletes to earn nine varsity letters across three sports at Michigan. That kind of versatility and leadership doesn’t come around often.

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Recognition

The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame welcomed Don Lund in 1987. They wanted to honor everything he did for sports as both a player and coach.

Lund’s pro baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers helped build his hall of fame case. When he returned to Michigan as a coach and administrator, he just kept adding to his legacy.

The hall of fame spotlighted his role in developing future major leaguers, like Bill Freehan, who Lund personally recruited to Michigan. He didn’t just play—he scouted and coached, shaping the next generation.

As a Detroit native who played for his hometown Tigers, Lund really embodied the idea of giving back to his community. His hall of fame induction felt like a celebration of that deep Michigan connection.

NCAA Championship as Coach

Don Lund’s coaching career hit its peak in 1962. He led the University of Michigan baseball team to an NCAA championship, and the Wolverines edged Santa Clara 5-4 in a wild fifteen-inning final.

Several players Lund recruited, including future major leaguer Bill Freehan, starred on that championship team. Even though they finished second in the Big Ten, the team got into the NCAA tournament and pulled off a surprise run.

After the championship, the American Association of College Baseball Coaches named Lund Coach of the Year. That award really showed how well he developed players and guided them to the top of college baseball.

His success with Michigan led Detroit Tigers general manager Jim Campbell to offer him the job of director of minor league operations. It was a big move and a testament to Lund’s reputation.

Personal Life and Legacy

Don Lund’s story stretched far beyond his seven seasons in the majors. He enjoyed a 50-year marriage, built strong community ties, and left a real mark on baseball development. His devotion to family and the University of Michigan shaped both his life and career.

Family and Community Involvement

Don Lund married his high school sweetheart, Betty Huff, while he was still at Michigan. They stayed married for over 50 years, until Betty’s passing in 1998.

They had at least one daughter, Susan, born in Detroit in 1946.

Lund never really left Detroit or Michigan behind. After baseball, he worked as associate athletic director at Michigan from 1970 to 1992.

He also did radio commentary for Michigan football games, teaming up with play-by-play announcer Bob Ufer.

Lund’s commitment to the university went deeper than just his job. He often attended meetings of the local Society for American Baseball Research chapter, which even carried his name.

Later Years and Passing

In his later years, Lund picked up several honors for his impact on athletics. The University of Michigan Hall of Honor inducted him in 1984. The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame followed in 1987.

In 1999, Michigan retired his baseball jersey number 33. Only five Michigan players have ever received that honor, and it recognized both his playing days and his later work with the program.

Donald Andrew Lund passed away on December 10, 2013, at age 90. He died of natural causes at his home near Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he had lived close to the university for many years.

Influence on Future Generations

Lund shaped baseball development in a bunch of different roles with the Detroit Tigers organization. From 1963 to 1970, he worked as farm director, scouting director, and director of player development.

He played a huge part in building the foundation for the Tigers’ 1968 World Series championship team. Seven out of eight position players on that roster came straight from Detroit’s farm system, which Lund helped develop.

He spotted and developed talent, even recruiting future Hall of Famer Bill Freehan while coaching at Michigan. That kind of eye for talent isn’t easy to find.

Lund stands as the only person to serve the same major league club as a player, scout, coach, and front office executive. It’s a rare distinction, honestly, and it shows just how deeply he understood baseball operations at every level.