Jack Graney
Encyclopedia
John Gladstone Graney was a Canadian
left fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played his entire career with the Cleveland Indians
(1908, 1910–1922). He was born in St. Thomas, Ontario
.
On June 26, , the Cleveland Indians used numbers on their uniforms on an experimental basis in a home game against the White Sox. The numbers, which were worn on the players' uniform sleeves, corresponded with information in the scorecards. Jack Graney was the first major league player to appear in a game with a number on his uniform. He was also the first batter to face Babe Ruth.
After retiring from playing, Graney became a play-by-play broadcaster for the team, thus being the first former major league player to become a broadcaster in the United States. He died at age 91 in Louisiana, Missouri
. He has been inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
.
In the 1980s, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
instituted an award
in Graney's name, presented periodically to journalists deemed to have made notable contributions to promoting baseball in Canada.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played his entire career with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1908, 1910–1922). He was born in St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
.
After retiring from playing, Graney became a play-by-play broadcaster for the team, thus being the first former major league player to become a broadcaster in the United States. He died at age 91 in Louisiana, Missouri
Louisiana, Missouri
Louisiana is a city in Pike County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,863 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city in Pike Couunty. Louisiana is located in northeast Missouri, on the Mississippi River south of Hannibal....
. He has been inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum is a museum located in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. The museums commemorates great players, teams, and accomplishments of baseball in Canada.-History:...
.
In the 1980s, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum is a museum located in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. The museums commemorates great players, teams, and accomplishments of baseball in Canada.-History:...
instituted an award
Jack Graney Award
The Jack Graney Award is an award presented by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum to a member of the Canadian media for their contributions to the game of baseball in Canada...
in Graney's name, presented periodically to journalists deemed to have made notable contributions to promoting baseball in Canada.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players from Canada
- List of Major League Baseball doubles champions