Pete Gray in Memphis, 1944
by Howard Ross (Jackson, MS)
As a teenager in Memphis during World War II I saw Pete play many times. He was a wonder not only in his fielding but at the plate as well. Playing right field he would glove the ball, fly or grounder, tuck his mitt under the stump of his right arm (it was off above the elbow), palm the ball and back to the infield it would go. I can't remember his ever making an error. At the plate, Pete could drag a bunt equal to anyone in the league but he hit for distance as well. Russwood Park - where the Memphis Chicks played - had a towering fence in right field and I had the pleasure of seeing Pete clear it one night - one of about 5 homers he hit that season. Just how fast Pete was I'm not sure but he stole second a number of times - maybe a league record, you'd have to look it up. While Pete was out of sync bodywise he ran with the same gait as players with both arms - nothing awkward about Pete Gray. If he had a weak spot it may have been a curve ball. He couldn't hit one very well which may have contributed to his exit from the majors after just one year. Returning WWII veterans for the 1946 season probably did Pete in as well. The Chicks were a very popular in Memphis during this period and Pete was a major reason for this. That he made it to the Browns for even one year seems remarkable after 60 years of reflection.
»Howard Ross is contributing columnist for local newspapers in Jackson, Miss.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
