Alumnus Lawrence “Larry” Edward Miggins ’53 died in his sleep on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at his home in Houston, Texas. Larry was born August 20, 1925, in the Bronx, a borough of New York City, to Irish immigrants John James and Josephine O’Sullivan Miggins. Larry was 98 years of age.

Miggins was an American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in parts of the 1948 and 1952 seasons. Listed as 6 feet, 4 inches tall, 198 pounds, Miggins batted and threw right-handed. Miggins was the last living player for the 1940s St. Louis Cardinals. He was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.

After his baseball career, Miggins attended the University of St. Thomas-Houston and earned a master’s degree from Sam Houston State. He later worked in the U.S. Probation and Parole office in Houston and served as baseball coach for UST in 2003. 

Larry Miggins and his wife Kathleen O’Sullivan Miggins celebrated their Irish heritage. Kathleen is a founding member of the University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies Advisory Board.  

The Miggins had 12 children. “Two of his daughters, Noreen and Maureen, once lived in the Center for Irish Studies’ original home near the picnic tables and facilities and the row of condos along Colquitt,” Lori Gallagher, director of the Flynn Center for Irish Studies, said. “They are long-time advocates and supporters of UST.”

The Miggins attended St. Anne Catholic Church on Westheimer.

“I visited Larry many times during my years as a pastor at St. Anne Parish,” UST Chaplain Eduardo Rivera, CSB, said. “He played in the majors for the St. Louis Cardinals and Fr. (Vincent J.) Guinan allowed him to get his degree from UST by correspondence. I spoke with his daughter yesterday and gave her my condolences. Larry was deeply connected to his faith.”

Funeral arrangements include a visitation and Rosary from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road. A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, with a reception in St. Basil Hall at the church. The family will have a private burial at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery on Wednesday.