Jerry Grote, a two-time All-Star and member of the 1969 Miracle New York Mets, died Sunday afternoon on the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, Texas, the workforce introduced. He was 81. Grote is a member of the Mets Corridor of Fame.
“We’re extremely saddened to listen to concerning the passing of Jerry Grote,” Mets proprietor Steve Cohen and his spouse, Alex, mentioned in an announcement. “The Mets Corridor of Famer was the spine of a younger Mets workforce who captured the center of New York Metropolis in 1969. Often called the perfect defensive catcher in franchise historical past, he was a two-time All-Star who performed 12 seasons in Flushing. We’re grateful that Jerry was capable of reunite with his teammates one final time throughout the 1969 World Collection reunion at Citi Discipline in 2019. Our ideas and prayers are along with his spouse, Cheryl, household and buddies.”
Born and raised in San Antonio, Grote started his enjoying profession with the Houston Astros. He made his MLB debut in 1963 and performed 103 video games with the Astros from 1963-64 earlier than being traded to the Mets following the 1965 season. Grote performed 12 seasons with the Mets from 1966-77 and was chosen to the All-Star Sport in 1968 and 1974.
Primarily a defensive specialist behind the plate, Grote authored a .263/.330/.340 batting line with 28 house runs throughout his nine-year peak from 1968-76. He went 4 for 19 with two doubles within the 1969 World Collection, serving to the Mets upset the closely favored Baltimore Orioles in 5 video games. His 1,127 video games at catcher are essentially the most in Mets historical past, far forward of second place Mike Piazza (818).
“He was the explanation for my success,” longtime Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman mentioned in an announcement. “I’ve the photograph in my house of me leaping into his arms after we gained in 1969. I’m heartbroken. Nobody was higher behind the plate. He actually managed the sport.”
Grote had brief stints with the Kansas Metropolis Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers on the finish of his profession. He retired following the 1981 season with 1,092 hits and 39 house runs in 1,402 profession video games, plus the 2 All-Star Sport alternatives and one World Collection ring. Grote managed within the minors and did some broadcasting work as soon as he was performed enjoying.
The Mets inducted Grote into their Corridor of Fame in 1992. He’s additionally a member of the Texas Baseball Corridor of Fame and the San Antonio Sports activities Corridor of Fame.
