In 1952, Groat's baseball career took a significant step forward when he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His debut season was interrupted by military service, but he returned to the Pirates in 1955, ready to establish himself as a reliable shortstop. Groat's batting skills and defensive capabilities quickly became apparent, and he became a fixture in the Pirates' lineup.
The 1960 season was a highlight in Groat's career. He played a crucial role in leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series victory over the New York Yankees. That year, Groat's performance earned him the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. His batting average of .325 was the highest in the league, and his leadership on the field was instrumental in the Pirates' success.
Groat's tenure with the Pirates lasted until 1962, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. With the Cardinals, Groat continued to demonstrate his skills as a shortstop and a hitter. In 1963, he helped the team win the National League pennant, and in 1964, he played a vital role in the Cardinals' World Series triumph over the Yankees. Groat's ability to perform under pressure and his consistent play were assets to the Cardinals during his time with the team.
After his stint with the Cardinals, Groat played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. Although his later years in the league did not reach the same heights as his earlier successes, Groat remained a respected player known for his professionalism and sportsmanship.
Throughout his baseball career, Groat was known for his exceptional hand-eye coordination and his strategic approach to the game. His ability to read the field and make quick decisions made him a valuable player on any team. Groat's career statistics include a .286 batting average, 2,138 hits, and 707 runs batted in, reflecting his consistent performance over the years.
Beyond his playing days, Groat's legacy in baseball continued to be remembered by fans and players alike.
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1957
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
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1961
The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of...
/ The booklets were published and distributed by various companies through local retailers, who would often rebrand them. While many of the booklets have slight variations in content, they orginate from Pearson Corporation. There was a alternate version of the fact book that is most often seen with "Kessler Whiskey" branding. The Kessler books tended to be a little larger format with a higher quality paper. Publication features team rosters, previews, major & minor league schedules, stadium diagrams, team logos, MLB records, Hall of Fame, World Series results, etc.
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1965
The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.