Johnny Groth

From BR Bullpen

John Thomas Groth

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 182 lb.

• Debut September 5, 1946
• Final Game July 28, 1960
• Born July 23, 1926 in Chicago, IL USA

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Lauded by the Detroit Tigers as "the next DiMaggio" when he arrived on the major league scene in 1946 at age 20. Though never coming close to living up to the hype, Groth had a successful 15-year career in The Bigs and could be easily compared to Jimmy Piersall as far as all-around ability. What is most perplexing about his career, perhaps, is that he spent only brief tenures with talent-starved teams (Browns, Senators & Athletics). A line-drive contact hitter, he displayed little power -- hitting only 60 career homers.

After his playing days, Groth managed the 1961 Decatur Commodores and 1962 Montgomery Rebels.

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