AKA Mudcat….Long time mound veteran….entitled into a set up/closer role for his last three seasons….minor league win tallies included 21, 19, and 18 falling in a four year span….. MLB stamp date is 1958 in Cleveland…. long time starter showed glimpses of brilliance but between military commitments, run ins with coaches/management, and wavering assignments which stunted his progress….Found resurgence in being traded mid season to the Twin….resurrected a lost season….took game to the next level in 1965…..possibly aided by the controversial, outspoken pitching coach Johnny Sain….dominated the AL with 21 wins and a league best win %....added to his standout year was two victories in the World Series….hit a 3 run home run to help his cause to boot in game 6…..an encore was elusive and in a matter of a few years found himself a proverbial rolling stone in LA, Montreal, St. Louis….was brought aboard the Oakland A’s for 1970…..took over bullpen while other mainstays Rollie Fingers and Diego Seugi were tried out in starting roles….Collected 24 saves in 72 games good for 5th and 2nd in AL respectively….in an unusual move traded to the Pirates with 2 ½ weeks left in the season....added eight more appearances as a Buccaneer to bring his seasonal total to 80 which was best in the majors….contributed to the Pirates holding on to gain the NL East title….Retained for 1971, Grant becomes the sidekick to Dave Guisti’s closer role….garnered 7 saves…..in an inverse of 1970 is purchased back to the Oakland A’s to support their successful playoff efforts…..tallied 3 saves to bring his two team total to 10 to compliment sub 2.00 ERA….While thwarted in a return to the WS, did make a fair show in ALCS with two shutout innings….turned out to be his exit from MLB stage….despite strong season was released….tried out with Indians in spring training but wound up signed to a contract with the AAA Iowa Oaks an A’s affiliate ….at age 36, was 11 years older than the average age of his peers… Not call up which is surprising given the A’s aptness to import veterans nearing the conclusion of league competition…..while several great chances never won a World Series…most of his post baseball work has been to advocate for greater participation of African Americans in baseball.
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