Dick Groat

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Groat was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, attending Swissvale High School where he earned letters in basketball, baseball, and volleyball. He attended Duke University, where he was a two-time All-American in baseball and basketball. In 1960, as the team captain, Groat became the first Pirate to be selected Most Valuable Player since Paul Waner in 1927. He hit .325 to become the first right-handed Pirates hitter to win the batting title since Honus Wagner in 1911. He sat out 20 days after his right wrist was fractured by a Lew Burdette pitch on September 6. Originally expected to be sidelined for at least one month, he lobbied hard for an early return in order to be better prepared for the expected trip to the World Series.

In Their Own Story

In Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, the Pirates trailed 7–4 in the seventh inning. Groat delivered an RBI single to ignite a five-run rally that staked his team to a 9–7 advantage. The Pirates went on to win 10–9 on Mazeroski's walk-off home run in the ninth inning. In the series opener, Groat tied the score on a double in the first inning, then came around on a Bob Skinner base hit to give the underdog Pirates an early 2–1 advantage. The lead held up, 6–4, as Groat and Mazeroski teamed up on a double play for the final outs. In the fifth game, with his team ahead 3–1, Groat doubled to lead off the third inning. Roberto Clemente followed with an RBI single for what proved to be the decisive run.

Reader's Guide

Dick Groat joined the Pirates on June 17, 1952, without a day of minor league experience, making his major league debut the following day. He subsequently batted a team-high .284 for the remainder of the season, recording 109 hits and 29 runs batted in. In 1960, as team captain, he hit .325 to win the NL batting title and was named league MVP. He was considered one of the most difficult hitters to defend against in his era and a master of the hit-and-run play, a skill he developed under Pirates batting coach George Sisler, a two-time .400 hitting Hall of Famer. Groat had good knowledge of the strike zone, walking more times than he struck out in six of his 13 full seasons. After the 1962 season, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Don Cardwell. Groat was deeply hurt by the trade, having hoped to become a Pirates coach and possibly manager after his retirement as a player.

Did You Know?

• Groat was a two-time All-American in both baseball and basketball at Duke University.
• He was the first basketball player to have his number (10) retired in Duke school history.
• In 1960, Groat became the first Pirate to be selected Most Valuable Player since Paul Waner in 1927.
• He was the first right-handed Pirates hitter to win the batting title since Honus Wagner in 1911.
• Groat ranked ninth in major league history in games played at shortstop (1,877) and fourth in double plays.