World Courant
Jerry Grote, a two-time All-Star catcher who gained a World Sequence with the New York Mets, died Sunday at a hospital in Texas, a group spokesman stated. He was 81.
Grote was a part of the 1969 Miracle Mets who surprised Main League Baseball by beating the Atlanta Braves within the Nationwide League Championship Sequence after which defeated the Frank Robinson-led Baltimore Orioles within the World Sequence.
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New York Mets catcher Jerry Grote is seen throughout spring coaching camp in St. Petersburg, Florida, in March 1977. (AP Photograph/Harry Harris, File)
Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz stated Grote suffered from coronary heart issues and died on the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Heart in Austin. He needed to endure a process and died throughout surgical procedure of respiratory failure, Horwitz stated.
“We’re extremely saddened to listen to concerning the passing of Jerry Grote,” Mets proprietor Steve Cohen and his spouse Alex stated in an announcement. “The Mets Corridor of Famer was the spine of a younger Mets group that captured the center of New York Metropolis in 1969.
“Generally known as the best defensive catcher in franchise historical past, he was a two-time All-Star who performed 12 seasons in Flushing. We’re grateful that Jerry was capable of reunite along with his teammates for the ultimate time throughout the 1969 World Sequence reunion at Citi Area in 2019. Our ideas and prayers are along with his spouse Cheryl, household and buddies.”
Jerry Grote, left, and Gary Gentry, No. 39, meet on the sphere throughout Sport 3 of the World Sequence in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles at Shea Stadium on October 14, 1969 in Flushing, New York. (Deal with Sports activities by way of Getty Photos)
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Grote performed for the Houston Colt .45s to start out his profession earlier than being traded to the Mets in 1965. He performed for greater than 11 years with New York earlier than being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He final performed in 1981 for the Dodgers and Kansas Metropolis Royals.
“He was the explanation for my success,” Grote’s former teammate Jerry Koosman stated. “I’ve the image at my home of me leaping into his arms after we gained in 1969. I am heartbroken. Nobody was higher behind the plate. He actually managed the sport.”
Ed Kranepool added: “He was the perfect defensive catcher within the NL when he performed. Johnny Bench as soon as instructed me, ‘If he was with the Reds, I might be enjoying third base.’
On this October 16, 1969 file photograph, New York Mets catcher Jerry Grote, proper, embraces pitcher Jerry Koosman as Ed Charles, left, joins within the celebration after the Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in Sport 5 to win the baseball World Sequence on New York. The Shea Stadium in York. (AP photograph, file)
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Grote was a lifetime .252 hitter in 16 years within the majors.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is editor-in-chief for Fox Information Digital.
