Wayne Granger

Infobox MLB retired
name=Wayne Granger
position=Pitcher


bgcolor1=black
bgcolor2=#c6011f
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1944|3|15
city-state|Springfield|Massachusetts
deathdate=
debutdate= June 5
debutyear= 1968
debutteam= St. Louis Cardinals
finaldate=June 25
finalyear=1976
finalteam= Montreal Expos
stat1label=Pitching record
stat1value=35-35
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.14
stat3label=Saves
stat3value=108
teams=
* St. Louis Cardinals (1968, 1973)
* Cincinnati Reds (1969-1971)
* Minnesota Twins (1972)
* New York Yankees (1973)
* Chicago White Sox (1974)
* Houston Astros (1975)
* Montreal Expos (1976)
highlights=
*National League pennant: 1968, 1970
*National League saves champion: 1970

Wayne Allan Granger (born March 15, 1944 in Springfield, Massachusetts) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1968), Cincinnati Reds (1969-1971), Minnesota Twins (1972), St. Louis Cardinals (1973), New York Yankees (1973), Chicago White Sox (1974), Houston Astros (1975) and Montreal Expos (1976). An alumnus of Springfield College, the skinny 6-4 and 165-pound Granger was one of baseball's most effective and durable relief pitchers during the early years of Cincinnati's famed Big Red Machine. He earned induction in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1982.

Originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1965, Granger made his big-league debut on June 5, 1968. The rookie sinkerballer went 4-2 with a 2.25 ERA that season. However, on October 11, 1968, the Cardinals traded Bobby Tolan and Granger to the Cincinnati Reds for Vada Pinson.

With the Reds in 1969 Granger posted a 9-6 record and 2.79 ERA with 27 saves in a then-NL-record 90 appearances, and he won the first of two straight NL Fireman of the Year awards. The following season, he set an NL record with 35 saves (since broken) while going 6-5 with a 2.66 ERA. That season, he ranked eighth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

During Game 3 of the 1970 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, Granger surrendered a grand slam to opposing pitcher Dave McNally. It is the only time in World Series history that a pitcher has hit a grand slam. The Reds lost the best-of-seven series in five games, and Granger never again pitched in the postseason.

After Cincinnati, Granger pitched for several other teams but never really again experienced the success he had with the Reds.

Arm injuries eventually cut short his career in 1976.

Awards

* Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame inductee: 1982
* Fireman of the Year award: 1969 and 1970

League leader

* Games: 1969 (90) and 1971 (70)
* Saves: 1970 (35)
* Games Finished: 1969 (55) and 1970 (59)

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball saves champions
* List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
* Montreal Expos all-time roster
* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/grangwa01.shtml Baseball-reference.com - Wayne Granger]
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Granger_Wayne.stm BaseballLibrary.com - Wayne Granger]
* [http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cin/ballpark/museum/hofers.jsp Reds Hall of Famers]