Grove was one of the first pitchers to come out of the White Sox farm system, established
in 1939. Invited to camp in 1943 with a $1 contract, having missed most of 1942 following
knee surgery, he made the club and was given his first start in June. He then set
a White Sox season record by winning his first nine decisions. On July 8, he took
a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Yankees. With one out, Joe Gordon broke
it up with a double to left that was fair by inches. Grove ended the year at 15-9,
but proved a winner only during the war years.
(RL)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 20, 1948: At Chicago, Joe DiMaggio hits for the cycle and adds another homer to drive in six runs, as the Yanks coast, 13–2. DiMag almost has a 6th extra base hit, but left fielder Ralph Hodgin snares it at the wall. Johnny Lindell adds a homer to back Vic Raschi's pitching over Orval Grove. DiMaggio is the first Yankee in eight years to hit for the cycle. DiMag last cycled in 1937.
»May 31, 1948:
The last place White Sox and 4th-place Tigers split a pair in Detroit. The Bengals take the opener, 5–4, with Dizzy Trout the winner over Orval Grove. The Sox take the nitecap, 9–3, with veteran Ike Pearson picking up the win. Ike will finish the year at 2–3 to close out hs career at 13–50; his .206 winning percentage is the worst in ML history for a pitcher with 50 losses.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
