Well up in the galaxy of Portland High School athletic greats, Lin Southworth went on to all-too-brief professional pitching fame.
Though his career was curtailed by a shoulder injury before he could crack the major leagues, the stocky ex Bulldog piled up ample credits worthy of induction in the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.
For one thing, Lin joined an exclusive club with his selection to three All-Telegram League teams as a hard-throwing right-hand flinger for Coach Jimmy Sibson.
He helped Portland to the ’45 Telly title and strong contention the next two years. In 1946 he pitched a no-hitter against St. Louis High.
His senior year at Portland, Southworth was an all-state football fullback, hero of the
Blue’s 6-0 Thanksgiving Game victory over Deering, and co-captain of Bulldog football, basketball and baseball.
In June of '47, he pitched for the New England high school all-stars against the Greater Boston stars at Braves Field and that fall signed into the Braves system.
He was 6-7 for the last place Richmond Braves in 1948. The next year, in the North Carolina State League, he gained national prominence by posting a 21-1 record, the best in all of professional ball.
In 1950 he was 4-2 with Jackson, Miss. With the outbreak of the Korean Conflict, he entered the army.
Then came the shoulder injury.
Southworth was never able to throw hard again.
Upon release from service, he joined the Boston Braves in Spring training in Florida, 1953, but the injury had taken its toll.
Lin returned to Portland, pitched some semi-pro ball for three years and then called it a career. He went west to California and has resided there ever since.
From Baseball Reference
Lynn Southworth
Position: Relief Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-10, 195lb (178cm, 88kg)
Born: 1927
Full Name: Lynn D. Southworth
