RIP Dick Groat.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Interesting that Temple had a Black player back then, I could be wrong but he must have been one of the first to integrate that sport at least at a major college level.

Looked up Groat's stats. Interesting that his metrics were much lower than I expected, only 58th at SS by JAWS.

His name was Sam Sylvester. Here is the story about that game:

https://goduke.com/news/2011/2/23/205102054.aspx

[tonyo]

loved the Duke photo and amazing story about Sam Sylvester's visit to Duke.


Just bought a 53 topps Groat

[irv]

This thread needs a pic of Dick Groat's RC.
RIP.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Michael B

His name was Sam Sylvester. Here is the story about that game:

https://goduke.com/news/2011/2/23/205102054.aspx

Thanks Michael. Very interesting.

[doug.goodman]

Here is Groats 6th career HR, off Don Newcombe on April 21, 1957, he also hit a double and grounded into a fielder's choice against Newk, then grounded out off Koufax.

I also had no idea about his basketball prowess. Heck of an athlete.

[roarfrom34]

[Brian Van Horn]

The day after the World Series ended on October 13, 1960 via Mazeroski's homer, Dick Groat visited Tony Kubek in the hospital. For everyone's recall, Kubek was hit in the throat by a grounder in the bottom of the eighth.

Groat noted he had to introduce himself because Kubek didn't recognize him. Kubek had never seen Groat without a hat and his bald spot being exposed. RIP Groat and best of health to Kubek from one of the guys who goes out to the Forbes Field wall every October 13.