MLB: Top 100 Players in Baseball History (60-51)
By David Hill
60. Lefty Grove
Lefty Grove did not reach the majors until he was 25 years old, and he struggled in his rookie year, posting a 10-12 record with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.716 WHiP. He led the American League in strikeouts with 116, but also paced the league with 131 walks. Yet, he ended his career as arguably the greatest lefty in MLB history.
Grove straightened himself out after that season. He went on to lead the American League in strikeouts in his first seven seasons, and captured nine ERA titles. Grove led the league in wins four times, and won the pitching Triple Crown in both 1930 and 1931. In 1931, Grove was the American League MVP as he posted a 31-4 record with a 2.06 ERA and 175 strikeouts. He even recorded five saves that year.
A six time All-Star, Grove ended his career with a 300-141 record with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.278 WHiP. He struck out 2266 batters against 1187 walks, fixing those control issues that had plagued him during his first season. Grove ranks 27th in MLB history with a 103.6 WAR, and is eighth all time with a .680 winning percentage.
As great as his career was, one has to wonder what it would have been like had Grove reached the majors earlier. Pitching for the Baltimore Orioles, then in the International League, he was one of the more dominant pitchers of his time and a great draw for the team. However, Jack Dunn, the Orioles owner/manager, did not want to part with his star, finally doing so when the Philadelphia Athletics purchased his contract for $100,600.
The ace of the dominant A’s teams at the end of the 1920’s, Lefty Grove was one of the best lefties to step on the diamond. Had his career started earlier, he may well have been the best lefty in history.
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