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Jimmie Lyons was one of the fastest men to ever play baseball, rivaling Cool Papa Bell. He was able to take long leads, and was rarely picked off.
“Lyons steals bases as easy as he gets on a street car.”
Anonymous Chicago sporswriter
Lyons’s career as an outfielder spanned from 1910-1925, best known for his time with the Chicago American Giants. He also played with the Brooklyn Royal Giants, Indianapolis ABCs, and Detroit Stars, as well as several other teams. The Giants dominated baseball in the early 1920s, winning the first 3 pennants in the old Negro National League. His all-around ability helped the Giants tremendously. He led the league in stolen bases, and most of his home runs were inside-the-park home runs. In 1921 he sustained injuries from falling 25-feet down an open elevator shaft.
Lyons was drafted into the army during World War I.