Wayne Granger
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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). 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 a slew of other teams but never really again experienced the success he had with the Reds.
Arm injuries eventually cut short his career in 1976.
[edit] Awards
- Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame inductee: 1982
- Fireman of the Year award: 1969 and 1970
[edit] League leader
- Games: 1969 (90) and 1971 (70)
- Saves: 1970 (35)
- Games Finished: 1969 (55) and 1970 (59)
