Sig Gryska

Sigmund Stanley Gryska

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 173 lb.

• Debut September 28, 1938
• Final Game October 1, 1939
• Born November 4, 1914 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died August 27, 1994 in Hines, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Illinois native Sig Gryska spent eight seasons in professional baseball, all in class A or better. He was signed by the St. Louis Browns in 1935 and was assigned to the Davenport Blue Sox of the class A Western League. He appeared in 116 games at the shortstop position, hitting .268 with seven home runs.

Gryska spent the next four seasons (1936-1939) with the San Antonio Missions of the class A1 Texas League. His best season came in 1936 when he hit at a .297 clip and had 19 home runs in 145 games. In 1938 Sig appeared in 153 games, hit .261 with 19 four-baggers again and was called up by the major league Browns in late September, appearing in 7 games with 21 at-bats and 10 hits for a .476 average.

Sig was back in San Antonio for his last year with the Missions in 1939, hitting .249 in 93 games. He was called up to the big league Browns for one last time and appeared in 18 games with 49 at-bats and 13 base-hits for a .265 average. Sig played his last game in the Show on October 1st. His final stats in the major leagues show that he appeared in 25 games, hit at a .329 clip and fielded at a .955 percentage.

Gryska spent three more seasons (1940-1942) in the minor leagues, all in AA ball, then the highest tier of the minors. He didn't tear any leagues up during this run, with a .218 batting average and 14 home runs for the St. Paul Saints and the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association in 1941, appearing to be his best season of that period. This run ended his professional baseball time and the record shows he played in 896 minor league games, hitting at a .253 average with 78 home runs. He handled his infield chances at a .919 percentage.

Shortly after the season's end, the 27-year-old Gryska entered the United States Navy, serving during World War II. Gryska lived to be 79 years old, passing away on August 27, 1994 in Hines, IL.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page