Dick Groat, a shortstop for the Pirates and others, passed away on April 27, 2023 at age 92.
Groat was signed by the Pirates out of Duke University in June 1952, and went directly to the Pirates (never playing in the minors). Groat took over the starting shortstop job, and finished 3rd in the NL ROY voting.
After the baseball season, Groat joined the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons (having been a college All-American basketball player at Duke).
He missed the next 2 baseball seasons while in military service (at age 23?), but returned for 8 more seasons with the Bucs, including the 1960 championship season, where he also won the NL MVP award.
He played for the Cardinals from 1963-65 (including his 2nd WS championship. Groat finished up his career with the Phillies from 1966-67 and the Giants in '67.
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