Canadians in the Majors: Jack Graney

 Hello friends!

I'm writing this today while still dealing with anxiety. I feel I may have done this topic before, but I don't really care right now.. I just find his story fascinating.. 

Today is Jack Graney. 

John Gladstone Graney was born in St Thomas, Ontario June 10, 1886. St Thomas is south of London, Ontario between the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Erie. 

He was signed by the Cleveland Indians (when they were still the Naps) and played his entire career with the club. Both his first career game and his last career game came against the St Louis Browns.

Graney started his career as a pitcher, but was converted to the outfield because the team was concerned about his control. It turned out to be the right move.  

Graney was also the first batter to face a rookie pitcher named George Ruth in 1914. In 1916, he was the first player to go to bat with a uniform number. Because it was a new concept, it was pinned to his sleeve, rather than on his back as the norm is now. 

Graney was friends with Ray Chapman and was devestated when Chapman was killed by the errant Carl Mays pitch. Jack never forgave Mays, believing the beaning was intentional. 

The beaning also caused a fight between Graney and Tris Speaker, based on how Chapman should be buried, Protestant or Catholic. Speaker was Protestant, Graney was Catholic. Chapman was baptized as Protestant, but married a Catholic woman and was about to convert. 

The fight between Speaker and Graney ended up making both men too injured to show at the funeral. 

He was on the 1920 Championship Indians team, though he was hitless in his three at bats. 

Graney played until 1922 and, after retiring, became the first ex-player to transition to the broadcast booth. 

Jack Graney passed away April 20, 1978 in Louisiana, Missouri. He was 91. 

He has since been inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, the Guardians Hall of Fame, and the recipient of the 2022 Ford Frick Award, 

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame has an award named after Graney, awarded to the Journalist deemed to have made notable contributions towards baseball in Canada. 

The Cleveland chapter of SABR is named for Graney as well. 

Notable Achievements. 

• AL Doubles Leader (1916)
• 2-time AL Bases on Balls Leader (1917 & 1919)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1916)
• Won a World Series with the Cleveland Indians in 1920.