Dick Groat was a legendary baseball player who made a name for himself in the 1950s and 60s. He was born on November 4, 1930, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and grew up in nearby Swissvale. Groat was a standout athlete in high school, playing baseball, basketball, and football. After graduating, he attended Duke University on a basketball scholarship but also played baseball for the school.
Groat was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1952 and made his Major League debut with the team in 1952. He quickly established himself as one of the best shortstops in the league, winning the National League MVP award in 1960. That year, he helped lead the Pirates to a World Series championship, batting .325 in the regular season and .400 in the World Series.
Groat played for several teams throughout his career, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants. He retired in 1967 with a career batting average of .286 and two World Series championships under his belt.
After his playing career, Groat went on to become a successful college basketball broadcaster. He also served as the athletic director at his alma mater, Duke University, from 1980 to 1994.
Groat’s legacy in baseball is still celebrated today. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. In addition to his athletic achievements, Groat was also known for his sportsmanship and leadership on and off the field.
Dick Groat, a two-sport star who went from All-American guard in basketball to a brief stint in the NBA to ultimately an All-Star shortstop and the 1960 National League MVP while playing baseball for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, died Thursday. He was 92.
Groat’s family said in a statement that he died at UMPC Presbyterian Hospital from complications of a stroke.
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