Ernest Groth

Ernest William Groth

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut September 11, 1947
• Final Game May 4, 1949
• Born May 3, 1922 in Beaver Falls, PA USA
• Died December 27, 2004 in Beaver, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pennsylvania native Ernest Groth spent twelve active seasons in professional baseball from 1942 to 1956.

He also served for three years (1943-1945) in the Pacific Theater of Operations for the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Groth spent parts of three seasons in the major leagues after returning from military service. He debuted with the Cleveland Indians on September 11, 1947, finishing out the year appearing in two games with no decisions. He was back with the Indians for a short run in 1948, appearing in just one game, again with no decisions and on October 2nd, he was traded by the Indians, along with Bob Kuzava, to the Chicago White Sox in return for Frank Papish. He appeared with the White Sox early in 1949, working in 6 games, losing his only decision and ended with a 4.91 ERA. He pitched his last game in the major leagues on May 4th.

During his twelve seasons in the minor leagues Groth had six double-digit-winning seasons. Notably, in these years he never lost more than he won. His best numbers came in his first season when he went 16-10 with a 3.59 ERA while pitching for the Appleton Papermakers of the class D Wisconsin State League. Also, one of his better years came in 1946, on his return from military duty, he had a 13-7 record and a 2.98 ERA for the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the class A Eastern League.

Groth spent the last five years (1952-1956) of his minor league run in the Texas League and in the twilight of his carer, 1954, he went 14-11 with a 3.75 ERA for the Oklahoma City Indians. He left the game after the 1956 season at the age of 34 with a 125-129 record in 462 appearances while pitching 2,191 innings.

Ernest William Groth passed away on December 27, 2004 at his home in Beaver, PA. He was 82 years of age.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page