Art Griggs

Arthur Carle Griggs

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• School Washburn University of Topeka, University of Pittsburgh
• High School Topeka High School
• Debut May 2, 1909
• Final Game September 2, 1918
• Born December 10, 1883 in Topeka, KS USA
• Died December 19, 1938 in Los Angeles, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Art Griggs, who played seven seasons in the big leagues and was usually an above-average hitter, collected 1,860 hits in the minor leagues between 1905 and 1926, including 370 2B and 142 HR. He started out as a P/2B/C, but eventually settled in as a first baseman around 1911.

Griggs was a college football star at Washburn University of Topeka, then at the University of Pittsburgh.

After playing in the Pacific Coast League from 1916 to 1923, Griggs became manager of the Omaha Buffaloes and led them to the league title in 1924. He managed them again in 1925, then spent 1926 as a player for the Seattle Indians. Done with playing, he returned to the Western League in 1928 as owner/manager of the Wichita Larks, taking over from Doc Crandall. Griggs changed the name of the team to the Wichita Aviators the next year, led them to the title in 1930, and second place in 1931. In 1932, he moved to the Tulsa Oilers, again as owner/manager, and promptly won the league title his first year there. He owned the Oilers through 1938, managing them in 1933 (their first year in the Texas League) and 1935 after having Jake Atz manage the club in 1934. The team won the league playoffs under manager Marty McManus in 1936. He also scouted, signing Arky Vaughan.

Griggs died of Hodgkin's Disease after a long illness.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1924	Omaha Buffaloes	Western League	103-61	1st	none League Champs
1925	Omaha Buffaloes	Western League	74-89	6th	none
1928	Wichita Larks	Western League		3rd		replaced James "Doc" Crandall 8/1
1929	Wichita Aviators	Western League	77-79	4th	none
1930	Wichita Aviators	Western League	89-56	1st	none League Champs
1931	Wichita Aviators	Western League		--	--	replaced by Howie Gregory
1932	Tulsa Oilers	Western League	98-48	1st	League Champs
1933	Tulsa Oilers	Texas League	65-86	6th
1935	Tulsa Oilers	Texas League	82-79	4th	Lost in 1st round

Related Sites

• Art Griggs at the SABR Bio Project
• 1939 Spalding Guide Obit