Mike Grady

Michael William Grady

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut April 24, 1894
• Final Game September 19, 1906
• Born December 23, 1869 in Kennett Square, PA USA
• Died December 3, 1943 in Kennett Square, PA USA

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Biographical Information

Mike Grady, who played 11 years in the major leagues as a catcher and first baseman, had some excellent seasons at the plate. He had three years where his Adjusted OPS was at least 140. His best season was 1904, when, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, he was fourth in the National League in batting average and second in slugging percentage.

However, Grady's fielding statistics fell on the opposite end of the spectrum - his range factors and fielding percentages were typically below average. In 1899, while playing a game at third base for the New York Giants (pressed into service after the previous third sacker had been thrown out of the game), Grady set a major league record (that is logistically impossible to break) for most errors recorded on a single play, with four. After botching a grounder (1), he threw the ball away attempting to throw to first (2), allowing the runner to advance to second. As the right fielder threw to Grady at 3rd, the ball got away from him (3); he finally launched the ball over the catcher's head attempting to nail the runner at home, allowing him to score (4).

Grady was one of three Giants players who were going to the stadium one day in 1900 when they saw a building on fire and saved some of the residents. The other players were George Davis and Kid Gleason.

He managed the Wilmington Peaches in the Tri-State League at the end of 1907 and the beginning of 1908. He umpired a couple of major league games, one in the NL in 1895 and one in the American League in 1901.

Related Sites

• Mike Grady at the SABR Bio Project