Lyman Bostock
Lyman Bostock was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. During his time in the majors Bostock recorded a career batting average of .311.
He was murdered on September 23, 1978, cutting short what many experts felt was a potentially long and successful career in baseball.
Baseball great Rod Carew felt that Bostock had the potential to be a Hall of famer.1
Fast Facts
- Full name: Lyman Wesley Bostock Jr.
- Born: November 22, 1950
- Died: September 23, 1978
- Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Position: Outfielder
- Bats: Left
- Throws: Right
- College: San Fernando Valley State College
- Draft year: 1972
Early Life
Lyman Wesley Bostock Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama on November 22, 1950. He attended college at what is now referred to as California State University, Northridge. In 1972, Bostock was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft.2
Pro Career
Bostock made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins on April 8, 1975. In his first season, he appeared in 98 games and recorded a .282 batting average. The following year he improved on his average by hitting .323. In 1977, Bostock hit a career best .336 in 153 games. The next season Bostock signed with the California Angels.In his final season, Bostock hit .296.2
Tragic Death
On September 23, 1978, Bostock was visiting his uncle Thomas Turner in Gary, Indiana. That night Bostock was murdered by Leonard Smith while waiting at a red light. Bostock was in the back seat of his uncle's car when he was shot. It was later discovered that Leonard Smith had murdered Bostock out of jealousy. Smith's ex-wife Barbara was also a passenger in the back seat of the car. Smith was arrested for the murder, but then a year after his trial started, Smith was released by reason of temporary insanity.
In 2008, ESPN's Outside the Lines did a feature story about the murder of Bostock. The show attempted to interview Leonard Smith to get his perspective on the tragedy 30 years later. Smith declined.1
Lyman Bostock Timeline
Related Pages on Mahalo
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Rod Carew | Minnesota Twins | Ty Cobb | Billy Martin | Major League Baseball | George Brett | Ted Williams | Pete Rose
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