John Grim

John Helm Grim

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut September 29, 1888
• Final Game July 13, 1899
• Born August 9, 1867 in Lebanon, KY USA
• Died July 28, 1961 in Indianapolis, IN USA

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Biographical Information

President and first base for Columbus, circa 1902

John H. Grim played 11 seasons in the majors. Although primarily a catcher, he played a lot at second base, first base, shortstop and third base. He was at every position on the field during his major league career except for center field. He also umpired three National League games between 1892 and 1896.

Grim was born in Lebanon, KY, southeast of Louisville. He played in the minors in 1888 and also came up to the majors for two games with the 1888 Philadelphia Quakers of the 1888 National League. He was the same age as teammate Ed Delahanty.

John played in 1889 for Toronto and then came back to the majors in 1890, the year of three leagues, with the 1890 Rochester Broncos of the 1890 American Association. In 50 games he had nine triples.

He stayed in the American Association in its last year as a major league, 1891. He played for the 1891 Milwaukee Brewers, who had started the year as an entrant in the Western League.

In 1892 he was one of the Association players who was able to make the jump to the 1892 National League. From 1892-94 he played for Louisville and then from 1895-1899 he was with Brooklyn. In his best year with the bat, 1894, he had 7 home runs and 7 triples.

In 1900 he played for Minneapolis and St. Joseph.

One source says he had the most defensive Win Shares of any catcher in the 1893 National League.

He was once a victim of a trick by George Van Haltren. Van Haltren, who had scored a run, went back to his third-base coaching spot and while Grim argued a point with the umpire, Van Haltren ran quickly to the plate, causing Grim in haste to throw the ball toward the plate. No one was close enough to catch it, and the actual runner on second base was able to round the bases and score while the ball was loose.

Grim coached the DePauw University baseball team in 1911, 1914 and 1915.

John Grim is not to be confused with John J. (Jack) Grim, a contemporary of John H. Grim and a minor league manager. Jack is sometimes listed as John J. Grim.