It’d be real easy today, the 45th anniversary of his Major League debut, that I start what you’re about to read with something cliché like “in front of close to 17,000 Reds fans…young lefty Ross Grimsley made his pitching debut as Cincinnati took on the Montreal Expos”.
But, honestly, it would be much harder to NOT begin that way.
So here goes nothing.
40 years ago today, in front of close to 17,000 Reds fans…young lefty Ross Grimsley made his pitching debut as Cincinnati took on the Montreal Expos. The son of former Major Leaguer Ross Sr., the former first round draft pick got the start and faced all of 11 batters, giving up six hits and four runs.
Suffice it to say…he also took home the loss.
Unbeknownst to that Riverfront Stadium crowd, they had just witnessed the start of a colorful, albeit brief, 12-year career.
In 1972, Grimsley would help the Reds win the National League Pennant and a year later…the National League Western Division. In 1974, he was dealt to Baltimore and helped lead the Orioles to the American League Eastern Division crown.
In 1978, Grimsley (now affectionately known as “Scuz”), posted a 20-11 record that included 19 complete games, three shutouts, 263 innings pitched, and a 3.05 ERA. He was named to the National League All-Star Team, finished seventh in Cy Young Award voting and with those 20 wins…posted the only 20-win season in Expos history.
All told, “Scuz” played for four teams…the Cincinnati Reds (1971-1973), Baltimore Orioles (1974-1977, 1982), Montreal Expos (1978-1980) and Cleveland Indians (1980). He finished his playing career with a 124-99 record, 79 complete games, 15 shutouts, 2,039⅓ innings pitched and a 3.81 ERA.
Grimsley can currently be heard talking Orioles baseball on 105.7 The Fan out of Baltimore.
So why all the fuss about a journeyman pitcher with big hair, a bigger mustache and a penchant (allegedly) for witchcraft?
Why not?!?
If you’ve been here before or checked out The Hall of Very Good on either Facebook or Twitter, you’ve surely recognized the site’s logo as none other than Grimsley. Dude is my logo, my Jerry West and, suffice it to say, I’ve got a soft spot for the guy.
And hopefully you do as well.
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