Elmer Gray (minors02)

Elmer B. Gray (Dutch)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 160 lb.

• High School South Hills High School

• Born May 3, 1923 in Pittsburgh, PA USA
• Died August 18, 2014 in Dormont, PA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Elmer Gray played five years in the minors then was a long-time scout, including time as scouting director.

Gray served in the US Army during World War II. He hit .266/.355/.380 for the 1946 Fulton Bulldogs in his pro baseball debut. His 11 triples were third-most in the KITTY League and he scored 101 runs. He also led the second basemen in the league in putouts (311), assists (323), errors (32) and double plays (78). With Fulton in '47, he batted .311 and slugged .430. He batted .277/?/.361 for the 1948 Aberdeen Pheasants. During 1949, Gray hit only .227/?/.286 with the Springfield Browns. He wrapped up his playing career by hitting .222/.360/.279 in 1950 with the Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers. He drew 100 walks to tie him for 9th in the Can-Am League.

The Pittsburgh native then went into scouting, first with the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles (-1966), then with the Cincinnati Reds (1967-1984). He then joined his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates as scouting director, a role he held from 1984-1989, when he became director of operations. He remained with the Pirates in different roles through 2012. He signed Ken Griffey Sr., giving Griffey's brother $25 for spikes and a jockstrap; Griffey would later say he signed for $15, meaning his brother made off with $10. As scouting director for Pittsburgh, he helped draft Barry Bonds, Tim Wakefield, Jeff King, Moises Alou, Orlando Merced and Stan Belinda.

Sources: Obituary, 1947 and 1951 Baseball Guides