John “Hap” Hanlon was an excellent baseball player with the professional Halifax Socials and with the semi-professional Halifax Crescents between 1920-1920. Hanlon was a renowned catcher and there were few that equalled him. Described as the most outstanding baseball player ever to be developed in Halifax, Hanlon would have furthered his professional baseball career if not for the outbreak of WWI.

The baseball player changed his uniform as he was called upon to serve his country. Upon his return home to Nova Scotia, he got involved with baseball again but this time as a manager. He went on to manage several teams in both Halifax and Yarmouth.