Marv Grissom – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Marv Grissom built a remarkable 14-year professional baseball career, stretching from 1946 to 1959. He played for six different Major League teams, including the New York Giants, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago White Sox.

The right-handed pitcher finished with a 47-45 record and a 3.41 ERA in 356 games. He earned an All-Star selection in 1954 and helped the Giants win a World Series championship. His journey to the majors started with an unusual recommendation from Hall of Famer Johnny Mize, who noticed Grissom’s talent while they served together in the military during World War II.

What really makes Grissom’s story stand out is how he went from a farm boy who hadn’t even pitched in high school to a reliable major league reliever.

He was born in Los Molinos, California, in 1918. Grissom didn’t take baseball seriously until after his time as a medic in the Pacific Theater.

His path to professional baseball wasn’t typical. He went through failed tryouts, wartime service, and years in the minors before finally proving himself as a valuable bullpen arm.

You’ll find Grissom’s full baseball journey here, from his rural California roots and military days to his successful playing career and later coaching. His story shows how determination and late-blooming talent can really pay off, especially in the challenging post-World War II era of baseball.

Early Life and Background

Marvin Edward Grissom grew up in a big farming family in Northern California, far from any baseball spotlight.

His path to professional baseball began during World War II, when a chance encounter changed his life.

Family Roots in Los Molinos and Red Bluff

Marvin Edward Grissom was born March 31, 1918, in Los Molinos, California. He was the eighth of nine children, at least according to the 1920 census.

His father, Ulysses B. Grissom, farmed grain and fruit in Red Bluff, California, after moving from Kentucky.

His mother, Margaret E. Curtis, came from North Carolina. The Grissom family had deep agricultural roots in Northern California.

Marv called Red Bluff home from at least 1920 onward. He kept strong ties to this community, eventually returning there after his baseball career.

His older brother Lee had already made a name for himself in pro baseball. Lee, a lefty pitcher, played eight years in the majors from 1934 to 1941. He was more than 10 years older than Marv.

Education and Early Interest in Baseball

Grissom attended Los Robles for grade school, then did two years at Red Bluff High School before leaving school behind.

Baseball didn’t play a role in his early life. “I had actually never pitched, not even in high school,” Grissom said years later. “Baseball was the furthest thing from my mind in those years.”

Even with Lee’s career, the family didn’t really follow pro baseball. “In those days it didn’t really mean that much,” Marv said. “We knew he was playing baseball, but there was very little radio, no TV, not much in the papers.”

He got his first taste of organized baseball in 1938. Lee told the Cincinnati Reds about his brother’s strong arm, and the Reds invited 20-year-old Marv to spring training in Tampa.

The tryout didn’t go well. General manager Warren Giles sent him home after five weeks, saying he’d never make it as a ballplayer.

Military Service in World War II

The Army drafted Grissom on October 10, 1941. He served as a medic during World War II and picked up some real-world medical skills that would stick with him.

He spent time on the Pacific island of Tinian from December 1944 to December 1945. “They took a farm boy and put him in the operating room assisting doctors,” his wife Frances remembered. “He learned a lot.”

Grissom reached the rank of sergeant. While stationed on Tinian, he met someone who would change his baseball fortunes for good.

Johnny Mize, a future Hall of Famer, managed a Coast Guard team on the island. Grissom pitched against Mize’s team a few times, and Mize liked what he saw.

After the war, Mize recommended Grissom to the New York Giants. “When he got discharged, the Giants asked him if there was anybody he had seen who they might try to sign,” Grissom said. “He told them about me, and I get a letter from them.”

That recommendation set Grissom’s pro baseball career in motion. He attended Giants spring training in 1946.

Professional Playing Career in Major League Baseball

Marv Grissom put together a 47-45 record with a 3.41 ERA over 356 games during his MLB career from 1946 to 1959.

He played for six different franchises and witnessed the Giants’ historic move from New York to San Francisco.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Grissom made his big league debut on September 10, 1946, for the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. He was already 28, which is pretty late for a rookie.

He came in as a reliever against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Giants were down 7-3 after seven innings. Grissom pitched two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and a walk, and struck out a batter.

He stood 6’3″ and weighed 190 pounds. In his brief 1946 debut, Grissom started three games and posted an 0-2 record with a 4.34 ERA.

He reached the majors thanks to Johnny Mize, who had seen him pitch in military games on Tinian and suggested him to the Giants.

Transition Between the New York Giants and San Francisco Giants

Grissom found some stability with the Giants, spending most of his career with them from 1946 and then 1953-1958.

He experienced the historic move when the New York Giants relocated to San Francisco after the 1957 season.

The 1954 season was his peak with the Giants. He made the All-Star team and went 10-7 with a sharp 2.35 ERA. Grissom mainly worked as a closer, pitching in 56 games and finishing 36.

He teamed up with Hoyt Wilhelm to form a tough bullpen duo. The Giants won the National League pennant and swept the World Series that year. Grissom’s All-Star Game performance stood out—he entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, and didn’t let anyone score.

When the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958, Grissom played closer to his California roots. He stayed with them through that season before moving on.

Stints with Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals

Between his Giants years, Grissom played for four other teams. The Detroit Tigers picked him in the Rule 5 draft in 1948 and kept him for the 1949 season.

His time with Detroit was tough. Manager Red Rolfe wasn’t impressed, and Grissom put up a 6.41 ERA in 27 games, mostly in relief.

The Chicago White Sox traded for Grissom in October 1951. In 1952, he had one of his best years, winning 12 games and losing 10 with a 3.74 ERA.

The White Sox sent him to the Boston Red Sox in February 1953 as part of a multi-pitcher deal. Grissom lasted only half a season with Boston before the Red Sox sold him to the Giants on waivers in July 1953.

Retirement in 1959

Grissom wrapped up his playing days with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959. That was his sixth and final MLB team, ending a 10-year major league career.

By 1959, Grissom was 41 and had plenty of miles on his arm from years as both a starter and reliever.

He finished with 47 wins, 45 losses, and 58 saves in 810 innings. He struck out 459 batters and kept a solid 3.41 ERA over his career.

Grissom played for the Giants (in both New York and San Francisco), the Tigers, White Sox, Red Sox, and Cardinals. Moving around was pretty common for players back then, but his best years always came with the Giants.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Marv Grissom’s major league career had its share of highlights, including a 1954 All-Star nod and a World Series ring that same year.

His stats show he was a reliable pitcher—47 wins, 45 losses, 58 saves, and a 3.41 ERA in 356 games.

All-Star Selection and 1954 World Series Champion

Grissom made his only All-Star team in 1954, representing the National League. The NL lost 11-9, but Grissom came through in relief.

He entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth. Grissom escaped without giving up a run. In the seventh, he retired all three hitters, striking out two.

The 1954 season was his best. He served mostly as a closer for the Giants, pitching in 56 games and finishing 36. He went 10-7 with a 2.35 ERA.

The Giants swept the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. Grissom and Hoyt Wilhelm anchored a formidable bullpen that helped power the championship run.

Notable Career Statistics: ERA, Wins, and Saves

Grissom’s numbers over 10 seasons—from 1946 to 1959—are impressive. He finished with a 47-45 record and a 3.41 ERA in 356 games.

He racked up 58 saves, reflecting his main role as a closer with the Giants. Grissom struck out 459 batters over 810 innings.

His best single season was 1954, with a 2.35 ERA. In 1956, he actually posted an even lower 1.56 ERA in 43 relief appearances.

He won a career-high 12 games in 1952 with the White Sox, though he also lost 10 that year and finished with a 3.74 ERA.

Impact in the Postseason and Team Contributions

Grissom’s biggest postseason moment came during the Giants’ 1954 World Series run. His steady relief pitching helped the team sweep the heavily favored Indians.

The Giants’ bullpen was a big reason for their championship. Grissom and Wilhelm gave manager Leo Durocher dependable late-inning options.

He pitched both as a starter and reliever in his career. Grissom made spot starts when needed, but really found his groove coming out of the bullpen.

Teams valued his consistency and experience. He played for the Giants, Tigers, White Sox, Red Sox, and Cardinals, showing his ability to adapt to different teams and roles.

Coaching and Later Involvement in Baseball

After retiring as a player in 1959, Marv Grissom jumped into coaching and stayed involved in baseball for over 20 years.

His coaching career lasted 15 years at the major league level. He also spent a lot of time developing young talent back in his hometown of Red Bluff, California.

Transition from Player to Coach

Grissom jumped right into coaching as soon as his playing career ended. He took on the role of first pitching coach for the expansion Los Angeles Angels from 1961 to 1966.

Those six years with the Angels really kicked off his long coaching journey. The Angels, just starting out, leaned on Grissom as he helped lay the groundwork for their pitching staff in those early days.

After his run with the Angels, Grissom joined the Minnesota Twins as pitching coach in 1970 and 1971. He reunited with manager Bill Rigney, picking up from where they’d worked together from 1969 through 1971.

Grissom stepped away from pro baseball for three years, then came back to coach the Chicago Cubs in 1975 and 1976. He wrapped up his MLB coaching career with one more stint for the Angels organization in 1978 and 1979.

Influence on Young Players and Local Community

Grissom never lost touch with his hometown of Red Bluff. He spent a lot of time coaching local baseball players who dreamed of making it to the pros.

Helping young athletes became a big part of his life after playing. Grissom shared his major league experience and insight with plenty of Red Bluff area players.

He loved being involved in local baseball, and it showed just how much the community meant to him. He stayed in Red Bluff all his life, using what he’d learned in the big leagues to guide the next group of players.

He always focused on fundamentals and mental toughness in his coaching. Maybe it’s not surprising, considering he didn’t reach the majors until he was 28.

Personal Life, Family, and Legacy

Marv Grissom built a life that revolved around family and his Northern California roots. He and Frances Moller stayed married for over sixty years, and baseball ran through his family for generations.

Family Relationships and Marriage

Grissom met Frances Moller in a pretty memorable way. They’d known each other as kids, but sparks flew when he umpired one of her softball games in 1939.

“He called me out,” Frances remembered. “I argued with him. I said they were balls, not strikes. So he invited me out for a Coke so we could talk about it.”

They got married in August 1942, about ten months after Grissom joined the military. Their marriage lasted 63 years, right up until he passed away in 2005.

They had a son named Bruce, who sadly died in June 2003. Grissom’s family included two grandsons, Brandon and Shannon Grissom, and two great-granddaughters, Katelyn and Emily.

Baseball really was a family thing. His older brother Lee Grissom pitched left-handed in the majors for eight seasons from 1934 to 1941. Lee finished up with a 29-48 record and a 3.89 ERA. His nephew Jim Davis also pitched in the major leagues from 1954 to 1957 for the Cubs, Cardinals, and Giants.

Community Involvement and Personal Interests

Grissom never strayed far from his Northern California roots. He was born in Los Molinos, California, and spent most of his life in nearby Red Bluff.

He lived in Tehama County his whole life. The area sits about 140 miles north of Sacramento, tucked away in Northern California.

Grissom started out at Los Robles for his first eight years of school, then moved on to Red Bluff High School for two years.

Back then, baseball just wasn’t on his radar. “There was no baseball at all,” he said about his high school days. “Baseball was the furthest thing from my mind in those years.”

His family ran a farm in the area. His dad, Ulysses B. Grissom, grew grain and fruit. With nine kids in the family, Marv was number eight.

Lasting Legacy in Baseball and Beyond

After he retired as a player in 1959, Grissom stuck around the game as a coach. The Los Angeles Angels picked him as their first pitching coach, and he worked there from 1961 to 1966.

He stayed active in professional baseball for 15 years at the major league level as a coach. Altogether, he spent 25 years involved with major league baseball.

During his 10-year playing career, Grissom appeared in 356 games. He put up a 47-45 record and a 3.41 ERA.

He managed to notch 58 saves and struck out 459 batters over 810 innings. Not too shabby, right?

His best year was definitely 1954. That season, he made the All-Star team and helped the Giants win the World Series.

He finished with a 10-7 record and a 2.35 ERA that year. Pretty impressive numbers.

Marvin Edward Grissom passed away on September 19, 2005, at age 87 in Red Bluff. He had come back to the same Northern California community where he grew up and spent most of his life.