Johnny Groth
| Johnny Groth | |
|---|---|
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| Died: August 7, 2021 (aged 95) Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 5, 1946, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 28, 1960, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .279 |
| Home runs | 60 |
| Runs batted in | 486 |
| Teams | |
| |
John Thomas Groth (July 23, 1926 – August 7, 2021) was an American
He played with the
He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 182 pounds (83 kg).
Early life
Groth was born in Chicago on July 23, 1926.[1][2] His parents, William Groth and Marie (Baltazore), immigrated to the United States from Germany.[3] His father worked as an electrotype salesman.[1] Groth attended the Latin School of Chicago, graduating in 1944.[3] He subsequently enlisted in the United States Navy in February of the following year.[1]
Playing career
After being discharged from the Navy,
Groth spent most of 1947 and 1948 in the
In 1949,
On December 4, 1952, the Tigers traded Virgil Trucks‚ who tossed two no-hitters during the year‚ along with Hal White and Groth‚ to the Browns in exchange for Owen Friend‚ Bob Nieman and Jay Porter. Groth bounced from the Browns to the White Sox to the Senators to the A's in the mid-1950s. In 1957, the Tigers brought Groth from the Athletics where he finished his career as a backup outfielder with the Tigers from 1957 to 1960.[1][2] He played his final major league game on July 28, 1960, at the age of 34.[2]
Over the course of his career, Groth played in 1,248 games, 964 as a
Scouting career
After retiring as a player, Groth scouted for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves, initially working for former Tiger player and executive John McHale. He also served the St. Louis Cardinals in that role. He retired in 1990.[5]
Personal life
Groth was married to Betty for 72 years before his death.[3] Together, they had eleven children. They resided in Palm Beach, Florida, during their later years.[3][1]
Groth died on August 7, 2021, at his home in Palm Beach. He was 95 years old.[3][4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Erion, Greg. "Johnny Groth". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Johnny Groth Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Donnelly, Shannon (August 12, 2021). "Obituary: John T. Groth, 95, former Major Leaguer and longtime town resident". Palm Beach Daily News. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Butler, Alex (August 13, 2021). "Johnny Groth: Longtime Tigers OF, MLB scout, Navy vet dies at 95". United Press International. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Erion, Greg, Johnny Groth, Society for American Baseball Research Biography Project
- ^ "September 5, 1946 Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers Box Score Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 5, 1946. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "Johnny Groth Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "1948 International League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ Johnny Groth - Baseballbiography.com
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Johnny Groth at SABR (Baseball BioProject)