Happy Birthday, Johnny Grubb

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 4, 2008 2:45 PM CDT Comment 9 comments

Happy birthday to former Ranger Johnny Grubb, who turns 60 today (man, do I feel old hearing that).

Grubb was a lefty hitting outfielder acquired by the Rangers from the Indians for a couple of PTBNLs at the August trade deadline in 1978, when the Rangers were five games out and wanted a veteran bench bat to help for a playoff push.

Grubb ended up playing 4 1/2 seasons with the Rangers in a part time role. He was sort of a Frank Catalanotto type...couldn't hit lefties, limited defensively and didn't have a bunch of power, but hit for some average and drew enough walks to have offensive value.

Grubb ended up being traded after the 1982 season for Dave Tobik, and I remember my grandmother (who was a big sports fan, and still gripes about the Rangers trading Jim Sundberg for Ned Yost) complaining that Ranger manager Doug Rader wanted Grubb traded because Rader didn't want Christians on the team. I have no idea if that is true or not, but it is the thing I most remember about Grubb's time with the Rangers.

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I remember him as well, and that dude could hit.

II Cor. 4:17-18

by TedFord on Aug 4, 2008 2:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Since it looks like these aren't going away

I thought I’d chime in with an idea.

Most of us know these guys like Grubb from old baseball cards or watching games without really knowing what was going on. I really like what you do with comparing him to Catalanotto -it basically gives me an idea of who this guy is in terms we can relate to immediately. I could care less that it is Grubb’s birthday (though if he’s reading this – happy birthday, Mr. Grubb), but I like knowing what his role was on the team, other than just visualizing his face in that little circle on the 1983 baseball cards…

by JBImaknee on Aug 4, 2008 2:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I find these interesting

becuase I wasn’t born when this guy was a Ranger.

www.mavsmoneyball.com

by Wes Cox on Aug 4, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Toddy officially take over mavsmoneyball?

or are you just “on a break??”

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Aug 4, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was a patient of the doctor...

...my mother worked for in the early 80’s. My mother always had very nice things to say about him.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Aug 4, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ah Yes, Good ol' John Grubb

by robert_d_wilfong on Aug 4, 2008 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We need to bring back those uniforms

Skills Showdown: Battle of the Texas Backstops

by jparks77 on Aug 5, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

johnny Grubb is 60 and he still has it!!

On his 60th birthday Johnny Grubb was helping the South Richmond american legion team practice for the state tournament they’re in this week. My son, a member, said Johnny hit a players pitch with a left handed swing and landed the ball above the trees in the NEXT field. He is a fantastic guy and yes folks.. he’s still got it. The team he is coaching is also fantastic and is favored to win the virginia state american legion title this year.

by allee455 on Aug 5, 2008 8:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs