Larry Dolan obit

Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan has died at age 94

 

He was not on the list.

Larry Dolan, who began the longest-tenured ownership in Cleveland baseball history, has died. He was 94 years old.

The team announced Dolan's death Monday afternoon.

"Cleveland sadly lost one of their own last night," said Guardians senior vice president of public affairs Bob DiBiasio 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."

Dolan purchased the franchise on Feb. 15, 2000, from Richard E. Jacobs. Roughly 13 years later, on Jan. 20, 2013, Larry's son Paul was approved by Major League Baseball as the primary control person of the organization. In 2022, David Blitzer bought a minority stake, believed to be in the range of 25 to 30 percent, of the team.

The upcoming 2025 season will be the 26th year of ownership under the Dolan family.

"We are saddened by the loss of our dad, but lucky to have him as a part of our lives as long as we did," Paul Dolan said on behalf of the family. "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 (then Indians)."

Different estimates put the Dolan family net worth between $4 billion and $5.6 billion. Larry's brother, James, is owner of the New York Knicks.

Over the last 24 seasons, Cleveland has had 14 winning seasons, nine postseason appearances, seven American League Central Division titles, three appearances in the ALCS and one trip to the World Series, in 2016.

Dolan was born on February 8, 1931, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He attended St. Ignatius High School and got his law degree from University of Notre Dame in 1956. He also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Cleveland State University.

He was the founder of SportsTime Ohio (now FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes).

Upon leaving Notre Dame, Dolan served in the United States Marine Corps for two years, where he attained the rank of first lieutenant. Upon leaving the Marine Corps in 1958, Dolan worked as assistant prosecutor in Geauga County, Ohio before going into private practice. He eventually became president and managing partner of Thrasher, Dinsmore, & Dolan in Chardon, Ohio.

While the team's player salaries were among the highest in MLB during Jacobs' final years as owner, at times they have been among the lowest under Dolan. This led some fans to regard Dolan as miserly, although other fans dispute the reputation. After the team reached the 2016 World Series, the team acquired free agents Edwin Encarnación and Boone Logan. However, both of these players were with other teams by 2019 in an attempt to reduce payroll, thus adding to both sides of the “miserly” argument between fans.

Born            February 8, 1931

Cleveland Heights, Ohio, U.S.

Died            February 23, 2025 (aged 94)

Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Occupation            Attorney

Years active            1958–2025

Title            Cleveland Guardians principal owner

Founder of SportsTime Ohio

Spouse Eva Dolan ​(m. 1957)​

Children            6, including Matt and Paul

Relatives            Charles Dolan (brother)

James L. Dolan (nephew)