Johnny Grubb
Encyclopedia
John Maywood Grubb, Jr. (born August 4, 1948 in Richmond, Virginia
) is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
and designated hitter
, who also occasionally played at first base. He played with the San Diego Padres
(1972–1976), Cleveland Indians
(1977–1978), Texas Rangers
(1978–1982), and the Detroit Tigers
(1983–1987),
, Cincinnati Reds
, and Atlanta Braves
, but did not sign with them. He made his major league debut on September 10, 1972.
In his 1973 rookie season, Grubb put up good numbers and earned himself a starting position in the outfield by hitting .311 with eight home run
s, 37 RBI, and 52 runs
scored. Grubb made the 1974 National League
All-star
team during his sophomore season, and struck out
in his only at-bat. Highlights after the 1974 season included a 21-game hitting streak in 1979 while a member of the Texas Rangers. He was also a member of the Detroit Tigers
' 1984 World Series
Championship team; the Tigers defeated his former team the San Diego Padres 4 games to 1. In his 16-year career, he posted a solid .278 batting average
with 99 home runs, 475 RBI, and 553 runs scored. In the era since the designated hitter
came into play (1973), he is the all-time leader among American League Players when used as a pinch hitter batting for the #9 hitter in the line-up. He was released by the Detroit Tigers after a disappointing 1987 season, despite having arguably the best season of his career in 1986.
baseball coach at his alma mater, Meadowbrook High School
in Richmond. There he coached current San Diego Padres pitcher Cla Meredith
. Grubb and his wife are also active members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
) is a former Major League Baseball
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, who also occasionally played at first base. He played with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(1972–1976), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1977–1978), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1978–1982), and 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...
(1983–1987),
Major League career
Grubb was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1971 with the 24th pick in the first round. He was previously drafted by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, 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 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....
, but did not sign with them. He made his major league debut on September 10, 1972.
In his 1973 rookie season, Grubb put up good numbers and earned himself a starting position in the outfield by hitting .311 with eight home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 37 RBI, and 52 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
scored. Grubb made the 1974 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...
All-star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team during his sophomore season, and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
in his only at-bat. Highlights after the 1974 season included a 21-game hitting streak in 1979 while a member of the Texas Rangers. He was also a member of 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...
' 1984 World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
Championship team; the Tigers defeated his former team the San Diego Padres 4 games to 1. In his 16-year career, he posted a solid .278 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 99 home runs, 475 RBI, and 553 runs scored. In the era since the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
came into play (1973), he is the all-time leader among American League Players when used as a pinch hitter batting for the #9 hitter in the line-up. He was released by the Detroit Tigers after a disappointing 1987 season, despite having arguably the best season of his career in 1986.
Personal life
Since retiring from professional baseball, Grubb has kept a low profile. He is currently the varsityVarsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
baseball coach at his alma mater, Meadowbrook High School
Meadowbrook High School
Meadowbrook High School is a high school in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The school mascot is the Monarch. Meadowbrook High School has the International Baccalaureate Program as their specialty center.-Athletics:...
in Richmond. There he coached current San Diego Padres pitcher Cla Meredith
Cla Meredith
Olise Claiborne "Cla" Meredith III , nicknamed "The Claw", is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a Free Agent.-Collegiate career:...
. Grubb and his wife are also active members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
.