Johnny Orr (basketball, born 1918)

John Edward Orr (June 4, 1918 – July 12, 1982), better known as Johnny Orr, was an American professional basketball and semi-professional baseball player during the 1940s.[1][2] He played in the National Basketball League for four seasons as well as in the New York Yankees' baseball farm leagues for four seasons.[1][2]

Johnny Orr
Personal information
Born(1918-06-04)June 4, 1918
Chicago, Illinois
DiedJuly 12, 1982(1982-07-12) (aged 64)
Tucson, Arizona
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Rita (Chicago, Illinois)
CollegeBenedictine (1937–1938)
Playing career1942–1946
PositionGuard
Career history
1942–1943Chicago Studebaker Flyers
1943–1944Sheboygan Red Skins
1944–1946Chicago American Gears

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Orr was a multi-sport star at St. Rita of Cascia High School.[3] After playing one season of college basketball, Orr signed a contract to play baseball in the Yankees' farm system, this ending his collegiate eligibility.[3] He was a pitcher.[1] Orr played baseball for the Norfolk Elks (1938), Akron Yankees and Norfolk Tars (1939), Joplin Miners, Akron Yankees, and Norfolk Tars (1940), and the Akron Yankees and Columbus Red Birds (1941).[1]

In the National Basketball League, Orr competed as a guard for the Chicago Studebaker Flyers (1942–43), Sheboygan Red Skins (1943–44), and Chicago American Gears (1944–46).[2] In his lone season with the Red Skins, the team lost the NBL championship to the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons and finished second in the league.[4] Orr died in February 1981 at the age of 61.[5]

References
  1. "John Orr Minor League Stats". baseball-reference.com. February 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  2. "Johnny Orr NBL stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  3. "Florals To Be Tough In Pro Battle". Belvidere Daily Republican. January 25, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved February 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "1943–44 Sheboygan Red Skins season". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  5. JOHNNY ORR - Pro Basketball Encyclopedia
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