Dick Groat, a legend in both basketball and baseball, died on Thursday at the age of 92. Groat was born and raised in Pittsburgh and made a name for himself as a two-sport star at Duke University, where he earned All-American honors in both basketball and baseball. After signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates and being drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1952 NBA draft, Groat attempted to play both basketball and baseball professionally.
Although basketball was his first love, Groat’s path changed after serving in the military during the mid-1950s. Pirates general manager Branch Rickey convinced him to focus on baseball, leading to a 14-year career split between the Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants. Groat made the All-Star team in five seasons and led the majors in hitting in 1960 when he batted .325. That season ended with Groat earning National League MVP honors for a Pirates team that upset the New York Yankees to win the World Series.
Groat finished his baseball career with 2,138 hits and played in eight All-Star games. He was a consistent shortstop known for his smooth defense, and he teamed with Bill Mazeroski to lead the National League in double plays five times. Groat was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in November 1962, where he had the best statistical season of his career in 1963, finishing second in MVP voting behind Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax while hitting .319 with a major league-leading 43 doubles. Groat won a second world championship that fall as the Cardinals toppled the Yankees in seven games.
Following his playing days, Groat remained active in the Pittsburgh area, where he spent four decades as a color commentator for the University of Pittsburgh basketball team. Groat is survived by daughters Tracey, Carol Ann, and Allison, along with 11 grandchildren. He will be remembered as a great player and an even better person who left a lasting impact on both basketball and baseball.
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