Dick Groat
The acknowledged leader of the Pirates, Groat was a good-hitting shortstop with great range. He helped Pittsburgh to the World Series title in 1960, and after being dealt to St. Louis, played for their World Championship team in 1964. At Duke Univeristy, Groat was an All-American baskertball player who spurned offers to make professional basketball his career. In 1960 he was named National League Most Valuable Player, when he won the batting title.
Played For
Pittsburgh Pirates (1952-1962)
St. Louis Cardinals (1963-1965)
Philadelphia Phillies (1966-1967)
San Francisco Giants (1967)
All-Time Rankings
Dick Groat ranks #40 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1960
groat staved off challengers to win the batting title with a .325 mark. He excelled at Forbes Field: batting .363 at home and .290 in road games. A singles hitters, Groat had just 32 extra-base hits, one of the lowest marks by an MVP winner, but he was sure-handed in the field, as usual. As he did much of his career, Groat hit well against southpaws: .376 in 178 at-bats. After he slumped in July, Groat responded by hitting .373 in August and .344 in September/October. On September 6, a Lew Burdette pitch broke Groat's wrist, sidelining the shortstop for nearly four weeks. He returned the last weekend of the year and played in the World Series.
Where He Played
Shortstop
Born
Richard Morrow Groat was born on November 4, 1930, in Wilkinsburg, PA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: PIT
Major League Debut
June 19, 1952
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1952
Eddie Mathews
Dick Groat
Harvey Kuenn
Johnny Temple
Jim Rivera
Hoyt Wilhelm
Ron Kline
Stu Miller
Dusty Rhodes
Similar Players
Robin Yount, though Yount was a better hitter. Groat and Yount were both excellent athletes.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1973 |
BBWAA |
7 |
1.8% |
1974 |
BBWAA |
4 |
1.1% |
1975 |
BBWAA |
4 |
1.1% |
1976 |
BBWAA |
7 |
1.8% |
1977 |
BBWAA |
4 |
1.0% |
1978 |
BBWAA |
3 |
.8% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1960 World Series
1964 World Series
Awards and Honors
1960 NL MVP
Batting Feats
Hitting Streaks
15 games (1962)
All-Star Selections
1959 NL
1960 NL
1962 NL
1963 NL
1964 NL
Learn More about Dick Groat
Search Amazon.com for Books about Dick Groat ⇒
Search for Dick Groat at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
