Jerry Grote

From BR Bullpen

Gerald Wayne Grote

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 10", Weight 190 lb.
School Trinity University
Debut September 21, 1963
Final Game October 3, 1981
Born October 6, 1942 in San Antonio, TX USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Jerry Grote was usually close to the center of the action in his 16-year career as one of the best defensive catchers of his time. He could also play third base.

When he came up, he was one of many young phenoms on the Houston Colt .45's. Grote, Joe Morgan, Rusty Staub, Jimmy Wynn, Sonny Jackson, and others were all 21 or younger. After one year as the regular Houston catcher at age 21, he moved to the New York Mets for 11 1/2 years, becoming part of their 1969 World Series champion team and their 1973 pennant-winning team.

Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 1977, he was on their pennant-winning teams in 1977 and 1978 as the backup to Steve Yeager. After briefly being with the Kansas City Royals in 1981, he came back in September to close out his career with the Dodgers, who won the 1981 World Series, although Grote did not appear in the Series.

In 1989, Grote played for the St. Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He hit .218 with 2 homers and 17 RBIs for the club.

He is a member of the Mets Hall of Fame.