Hello Friends!
I'm back today with another installment of Canadians in the Major Leagues, this time focusing on former Cleveland Naps/Indians player Jack Graney (Not calling it Guardians, since he wasn't around under that name)
Jack Graney was born June 10, 1886 in St. Thomas Ontario.
Here is a visual of where St. Thomas is. It's west of Hamilton, south of London. There black square is the location.
He was recommended to the Cubs by another Canadian, Bob Emslie. He spent one year in the Cubs organization, then was sold to Cleveland. He started his Major League career as a pitcher, but was sent to Portland for more seasoning. When he returned to Cleveland, he was an outfielder, based on the distrust of the front office of Graney being able to control his pitches enough for Major League hitting.
He was the first batter to face Babe Ruth in a MLB game. He also was the roommate of Ray Chapman, the shortstop who died as a result of a bean ball by Carl Mays.
He spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the Indians, retiring in 1922.
Overall, he hit .250, with 18 home runs and 420 RBI
After retiring, he moved to the broadcast booth, calling games for the Indians on the radio. He was the first to do so. (So I guess we can thank/curse him for the trend....) He also did the national broadcast of the 1935 World Series and called games for the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League.
So..
Jack Graney was the first to face Babe Ruth when he was a pitcher
The first to wear a uniform number to bat.
The first to transition from playing to broadcasting.
Led the league in walks twice
Led the league in doubles
Inducted to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Inducted into the Cleveland Indians Distinguished Hall of Fame for non-uniformed Personnel
Won the 2021 Ford C Frick award.
In 1987 the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame created an award to celebrate journalists who made a significant contribution to spreading baseball in Canada.
Jack Graney passed away in 1978 at the age of 91 in Louisiana, Missouri.
Wow, he did a lot.
ReplyDeleteIn the books I've been reading lately Graney had been mentioned. Figured why not do a post.
DeleteI'm sure it would be new info for some people.
Great post, Mike! I hope to cover him someday on my Portland Beavers blog, but in the meantime, I did learn a few things about him that I didn't already know. On a somewhat related note, do you find yourself being drawn more to guys from Ontario than other parts of Canada?
ReplyDeleteThere are more guys from Ontario in baseball history than the other provinces. It still holds true with Ontario being one of the more populated areas.
Delete