Definition
Johnny Neun (John William Neun, June 26 1900 – May 11 1990) was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager, and scout. He is chiefly remembered for executing an unassisted triple play while playing second base for the Detroit Tigers in 1927.
Overview
Neun began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Detroit Tigers in 1925 and later played for the Boston Red Sox (1927–1929) and Washington Senators (1931). Over ten MLB seasons, he appeared in 1,012 games, compiling a .263 batting average, 9 home runs, and 267 runs batted in. After retiring as a player, Neun served as a coach for the Detroit Tigers (1939–1945) and was appointed the club’s manager for part of the 1946 season, posting a 27–31 record. He later worked as a scout for several organizations, including the Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, contributing to player evaluations into the 1970s.
Etymology/Origin
The given name “Johnny” is a diminutive form of “John,” derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” The surname “Neun” is of German origin, translating to the numeral “nine.” No evidence suggests the name carries additional cultural or occupational significance beyond its linguistic roots.
Characteristics
- Playing Position: Primarily a second baseman; known for defensive reliability.
- Batting Profile: Right-handed hitter with a career batting average of .263; modest power numbers typical of middle‑infielders of his era.
- Defensive Highlight: Executed an unassisted triple play on May 31 1927 against the Cleveland Indians—one of only 15 such plays in MLB history to date. The play involved catching a line drive, stepping on second base to retire the runner from first, and tagging the runner advancing from second.
- Managerial Tenure: Managed the Detroit Tigers for 58 games in 1946, succeeding Steve O'Neill for the latter part of the season.
- Scouting Contributions: Identified and evaluated amateur and professional talent for MLB clubs, though specific signings attributed to him are not extensively documented in public sources.
Related Topics
- Unassisted Triple Play – a rare defensive feat in baseball; Neun’s 1927 play is a notable example.
- Detroit Tigers – the franchise with which Neun spent the majority of his playing, coaching, and managerial career.
- Second Base (Baseball Position) – the defensive position most associated with Neun’s career.
- Baseball Scouting – the post‑playing career field in which Neun contributed to talent assessment.
- List of Major League Baseball Players Who Became Managers – includes Neun among other player‑managers of the 20th century.