Johnny Grodzicki
Encyclopedia
John Grodzicki was an American
Major League Baseball
pitcher
. A native of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals
in 1941, 1946 and 1947. The right-hander stood 6 in 1 in (1.85 m) and weighed 200 pounds (90.7 kg).
A top pitching prospect before the outbreak of World War II
, he would pitch in 24 games for the Cardinals, winning 2 and losing 2, with an earned run average
of 4.43. His career was interrupted by four years of military service. Grodzicki served in the United States Army
's 17th Airborne Division and became a paratrooper. In combat in Germany
on March 29, 1945, Grodzicki sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs. He was awarded a Purple Heart
, and required surgery and extensive rehabilitation to resume his baseball career after the war's end.
Grodzicki's professional playing career — spent entirely in the Cardinal organization — stretched from through , including 11 years in minor league baseball
. He later managed in the Redbird farm system, scouted for the Cardinals, then became a minor league instructor for the Detroit Tigers
for over a dozen years. He then spent a season (1979) as the Tigers' MLB pitching coach
. He died at age 81 in Daytona Beach, Florida
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. A native of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
Nanticoke is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,465 at the 2010 census.-History:The name Nanticoke was derived from Nantego, the Indian tidewater people who moved here when their Maryland lands were spoiled for hunting by the colonial settlement in...
, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in 1941, 1946 and 1947. The right-hander stood 6 in 1 in (1.85 m) and weighed 200 pounds (90.7 kg).
A top pitching prospect before the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he would pitch in 24 games for the Cardinals, winning 2 and losing 2, with an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.43. His career was interrupted by four years of military service. Grodzicki served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's 17th Airborne Division and became a paratrooper. In combat in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on March 29, 1945, Grodzicki sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs. He was awarded a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and required surgery and extensive rehabilitation to resume his baseball career after the war's end.
Grodzicki's professional playing career — spent entirely in the Cardinal organization — stretched from through , including 11 years in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. He later managed in the Redbird farm system, scouted for the Cardinals, then became a minor league instructor for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for over a dozen years. He then spent a season (1979) as the Tigers' MLB pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
. He died at age 81 in Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
.