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See Photo Tribute to Jim “Mudcat” Grant
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I meet Jim “Mudcat” Grant at Sloan Park!
I’m currently in Phoenix visiting my son and my three grandkids. Last night we took in a spring training game between the Cubs and Diamondbacks at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.
As anticipated, the game was a sell-out. The expectations are sky-high for the Cubs this year to have a great season with “Uncle Joe” Maddon at the helm. We had a great time (even though my son is a White Sox fan…don’t ask!), as the Cubs put on an offensive display and won easily 15-4. But the best part of the evening occurred in the fifth inning and had nothing to do with the game itself!
Soon after the game began, an announcement came over the Sloan Park PA system: “The Cubs would like to welcome to Sloan Park the following former ball players: Bill Buckner, Byron Browne, Lee Smith, Fergie Jenkins, and Jim “Mudcat” Grant. Fans are invited to stop by and meet the players in the centerfield pavilion.”
I was of course familiar with all the players mentioned (even Byron Browne who was a little used outfielder for the Cubs during the Durocher era). But the name that really caught my attention was Jim “Mudcat” Grant. An old-timer like me remembers the fine pitcher for the Indians and Twins who went 21-7 for the pennant-winning Twins in 1965. After I explained to my son who “Mudcat” Grant was, I also mentioned that I may be the only person in the park who actually remembered him! And, as co-editor of the Old-Time Baseball Photos Face Book page, I knew our many readers would enjoy seeing a picture of him.
So in about the fifth inning, we trekked over the designated area and found the invited players signing autographs and chatting with fans (although you had to make a $20 “donation” to get a signed picture, and the prices for other items, like signed balls and bats, went up from there). As I anticipated, the crowds were centered around Fergie Jenkins and Lee Smith, two great ex-Cubs. And, also as I anticipated, there was “Mudcat” Grant sitting all alone between Buckner and Byron Browne. Unfortunately, he had some obvious health issues and was seated in a wheelchair, but he looked good.
I immediately went over to him, extended my hand, and told him I was old enough to remember what a great pitcher he was for the Indians and Twins. I was happy to see, as I engaged him in conversation, his mind seemed sharp and he lit up as I recalled some of the highlights of his career. I was happy to shell out the $20 bucks for the signed photo, and then asked him if we could take a picture with him. He was more-than-happy to oblige.
So my grandson “Little Lou” and I went around the table behind him, and he put his arms around us as my son took a picture. You can see it posted below. Look closely and you’ll also see Bill Buckner on the left. “Mudcat” insisted on taking a few extra pictures with Little Lou to be sure we got a good one. I told him the pictures would soon appear on the Old-Time Baseball Photos Facebook page, and he seemed happy to hear that. We then heartily thanked Jim for his time as we said our good-byes, and then chatted a bit with Byron Browne (also sitting alone) and Lee Smith. Later, as we left the park, I reflected on my good fortune on having unexpectedly met Jim “Mudcat” Grant at a Cubs spring exhibition game!
For all you “young guys” out there who don’t remember Jim “Mudcat” Grant, here’s a few words about his fine career:
Jim played from 1958-’71 for the Indians (1958-’64), Twins (1964-’67), Dodgers (1968), Expos (1969), Cardinals (1969), Athletics (1970-’71), and Pirates (1971). Over his career, he went 145-119, with a 3.63 ERA, 1,267 strikeouts, 89 complete games, and 18 shutouts. “Mudcat” was a two-time All-Star (1963 and ‘-65). His best season was 1965 when he was the ace of the Twins staff. He led the American League in wins, going 21-7, as the Twins went to the World Series against the Dodgers. That year Grant also led the American League in winning percentage (.750), and shutouts (6). He completed 14 games, pitched 270 ⅓ innings, and posted an ERA of 3.30. His home run in the 1965 World Series was only the second by an American League pitcher during a World Series game.
After his playing career, Grant worked as a broadcaster and executive for the Indians, and as a broadcaster for the Athletics. In recent years he has dedicated himself to studying and promoting the history of blacks in baseball and pays tribute on his website to the fifteen black pitchers in baseball history including himself who have won 20 games in a season, releasing his 2006 book “The Black Aces.”
-Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: Featured photo taken by my son, Gary J. Livacari (the afore-mentioned White Sox fan!); others from public domain.
Information edited from the Jim “Mudcat” Grant Wikipedia page; statistics from Baseball-Reference.com
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