Emil Gross

Emil Michael Gross

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut August 13, 1879
• Final Game July 14, 1884
• Born March 3, 1858 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died August 24, 1921 in Eagle River, WI USA

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Biographical Information

Emil Gross (sometimes called Em Gross) was one of the best-hitting catchers of the 19th Century, with an Adjusted OPS of 146, the same as Sam Thompson.

Gross was a busy guy in 1880, catching every single game for his team (87 games). Nobody else appeared at the position that year.

In early August 1881, Gross was injured and missed the rest of the season. Even so, he played in 50 of the team's 84 games. He also umpired one National League game in 1881.

Gross was added to the "blacklist" at an 1881 National League Meeting, barring him from playing for or against any NL team. He was reinstated in 1883.

In 1884, he was by far the best player on his Union Association team, but it was his last year in the majors.

Gross was born in Chicago, IL, one year before Charlie Comiskey was born there. Gross died in Eagle River, WI, the same place where Comiskey died. His mother, upon her death, left him $100,000, allowing him to become a wealthy businessman. In 1891 it was reported that he and Bill Phillips were close friends in Chicago.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Emil Gross
• Baseball History Daily story on Emil Gross