Alex Grammas
Encyclopedia
Alexander Peter Grammas (April 3, 1926- ) is a former Major League
infielder
and manager. A native of Birmingham, Alabama
, Grammas played in the National League
for the St. Louis Cardinals
, Cincinnati Reds
and the Chicago Cubs
. He finished his career with a .969 overall fielding percentage
. He was not usually an everyday player, playing as a reserve with the Reds and Cubs.
Grammas served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
from 1965 through 1969. He began his managerial career, when he was brought in to finish out the Pirates' 1969 season
after Larry Shepard
was fired as the team's manager. Although Alex guided the Bucs a 4-1 finish, Danny Murtaugh
took over as the team's manager in 1970. In 1976, he managed the Milwaukee Brewers
, leading them to two last place finishes. He ended his managerial career with a record of 137-191. Alex was also a longtime coach under the legendary Sparky Anderson
with the Reds from 1970 to 1975 and in 1978, and with the Detroit Tigers
from 1980 to 1991. Grammas also coached for the Atlanta Braves
in 1979.
near Sparta
, Greece
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
and manager. A native of Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, Grammas played in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. He finished his career with a .969 overall fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. He was not usually an everyday player, playing as a reserve with the Reds and Cubs.
Grammas served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
from 1965 through 1969. He began his managerial career, when he was brought in to finish out the Pirates' 1969 season
1969 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Pirates finishing in third place in the newly-established National League East, twelve games behind the eventual World Series champion New York Mets...
after Larry Shepard
Larry Shepard
Lawrence William Shepard was a manager in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1968 to 1969. During his playing days, Shepard was a right-handed pitcher who played minor league baseball from 1941 through 1956, with time out for military service during World War II...
was fired as the team's manager. Although Alex guided the Bucs a 4-1 finish, Danny Murtaugh
Danny Murtaugh
Daniel Edward Murtaugh was an American second baseman, manager, front-office executive and coach in Major League Baseball best known for his 29-year association with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a player and manager...
took over as the team's manager in 1970. In 1976, he managed the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, leading them to two last place finishes. He ended his managerial career with a record of 137-191. Alex was also a longtime coach under the legendary Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
with the Reds from 1970 to 1975 and in 1978, and with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
from 1980 to 1991. Grammas also coached for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in 1979.
Quote
Grammas family origins are from Agios DimitriosAgios Dimitrios
Agios Dimitrios is a suburb in the southern part of Athens, Greece. Several main roads pass through the city. It is also linked to Katechaki, Vouliagmenis Avenue to the east, Poseidonos Avenue Agios Dimitrios (Greek: Άγιος Δημήτριος meaning Saint Demetrius) is a suburb in the southern part of...
near Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
- "I went to GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 1992 for the first time, and I liked Greece very much," said Alex. "All my life my father was telling me good things about Greece. When he was talking, I was laughing, but when I saw with my own eyes, I realized he hadn't said enough about Greece. I love Greece very much. In 1992, we stayed about three weeks. I am gonna tell you, when I walked up to the AcropolisAcropolisAcropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
and saw the ParthenonParthenonThe Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC, although...
, the hairs on my head were standing straight up. I couldn't believe it.