John Grimes

John Thomas Grimes

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.

• Debut July 28, 1897
• Final Game August 2, 1897
• Born April 17, 1869 in Woodstock, MD USA
• Died January 17, 1964 in San Francisco, CA USA

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Biographical Information

John Grimes appeared in only one season in the major leagues, at the age of 28. The team he appeared on, the 1897 St. Louis Browns, had a record of 29-102. Although it seems likely that he did not impress (see below for why), his ERA of 5.95 was actually better than the team ERA that year of 6.21. He pitched in only 3 games from July 28 through August 2.

John Grimes' major league career is most notable for his performance on July 31, 1897, when he set a major league record that still stands by hitting six batters in a nine-inning game. In spite of that, he was given another chance to pitch on August 2. In all, he pitched approximately 20 innings, and only hit 1 other batter in that time. It is possible that his record performance was a result of animosity against the other team, which was the Louisville Colonels, a team on which Honus Wagner was a rookie that year. The Browns had four managers that year (including Chris Von der Ahe for 14 games), and it seems likely that either Hugh Nicol or second baseman Bill Hallman was the manager on July 31.

As a batter, he hit .286.

• served 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring with the rank of captain. He saw action in the Sioux Indian Campaign, Spanish American War and World War I. b. 04/17/1869, d. 01/17/1964, CAPT POST QM FT WINFIELD SCOTT CALIF QMC, Plot: 2E 2522, bur. 01/21/1964

• He is not to be confused with another John Grimes who was a star at Texas Tech University in the 1980's, setting a university slugging record, and being drafted in the 7th round in 1984 by the San Francisco Giants.

Related Sites

Find-A-Grave Memorial for John Grimes