Kelly Gruber
Kelly Gruber | ||
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Runs batted in | 443 | |
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Kelly Wayne Gruber (born February 26, 1962) is an American former
Early life
Gruber was born on February 26, 1962.[1] Gruber played baseball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, where his number was later retired.[citation needed]
Early career
He was drafted by the
Best years
On April 16, 1989, Gruber was the first Blue Jay in history to
Gruber was a member of the 1992 World Series-winning Blue Jay team, and was involved in one of the most controversial plays in World Series history. In the fourth inning of Game 3, Gruber appeared to make a diving tag on Braves runner Deion Sanders' foot to record the third out of a triple play, which would have been only the second such play in World Series history. However, the second-base umpire ruled Sanders safe. Gruber tore his rotator cuff on the play; however, he hit a key game-tying home run in the eighth inning, and the Jays won the game in walk-off fashion, later taking the series in six games.[4]
Later career
Gruber was traded to the
Gruber returned to action in June, but after playing in only 18 games, Gruber went back on the
In 1997, Gruber attempted a comeback with the Baltimore Orioles. While his performance was good enough to impress coaches and staff with the Orioles, Gruber decided to retire for good due to health-related concerns.
See also
Personal
Gruber makes public appearances as a motivational speaker for charitable organizations and holds baseball seminars throughout North America.
On June 16, 2018, he made numerous controversial and offensive remarks at a PitchTalks event in Toronto, some directed at moderator Ashley Docking, prompting his uninviting from the upcoming Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame festivities.[8]
In 1992, Gruber published his autobiography, Kelly, At Home on Third.
References
- ^ a b Piercy, Justin (February 26, 2014). "Birthday Bio: Kelly Gruber". CBC Sports. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ^ "Apr 16, 1989, Royals at Blue Jays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- NY Times. April 17, 1989. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
- ^ Hughson, Callum (January 17, 2020). "Profiling Former Blue Jays Third Baseman Kelly Gruber". mopupduty.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Nightengale, Bob (February 17, 1993). "Rodgers Is incensed by Gruber's surgery: Angels manager decries trade after third baseman undergoes rotator-cuff operation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ a b Foster, Chris (July 3, 1993). "Gruber takes turn for worse: Continuing neck and shoulder problems will sideline the third baseman". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Gruber is put on waivers, then Angels lose to Tigers". Los Angeles Times. September 8, 1993. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ Thompson, Chris (June 16, 2018). "Former Blue Jay Kelly Gruber Disinvited From Canadian Baseball Hall Of Fame Festivities After Unbearably Rude, Awkward Panel Appearance". Deadspin. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
Further reading
- Gruber, Kelly; Boland, Kevin (1991). Kelly: At Home on third. ISBN 0670839000.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Pelota Binaria (Venezuelan Winter League)
- Kelly Gruber's Baseball Camp website
- Kelly Gruber's website Archived 2016-07-25 at the Wayback Machine