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
Biographical Information[edit]
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[edit]
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 |
We're Social...for Statheads
Every Sports Reference Social Media Account
Site Last Updated:
Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction?
Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter
Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE
Your All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database
Do you have a sports website? Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more.