Don Gross – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Gross isn’t a name everyone knows, but this left-handed pitcher managed to build a solid six-season career in Major League Baseball through the 1950s and early 1960s. Born Donald John Gross on June 30, 1931, in Weidman, Michigan, he took the mound for both the Cincinnati Redlegs and Pittsburgh Pirates before wrapping up his professional run in 1963.

Gross finished his career with 20 wins and 22 losses over 145 major league games between 1955 and 1960. He showed the kind of grit you’d expect from a pitcher who fought through early setbacks just to get to the big leagues.

His journey from a little Michigan town to the majors included military service, arm injuries, and a handful of memorable moments. That era? Baseball was the heart of American sports.

This American baseball player’s story really shows the challenges faced by athletes before sports medicine and big contracts changed everything. From signing with Cincinnati after just a year at Michigan State, to fighting through arm injuries that cut his time short, Gross’s experience gives a glimpse into the reality of mid-20th century baseball and what players gave up to chase their dreams.

Early Life and Background

Donald John Gross grew up in rural Michigan in the 1930s as part of a big working-class family. His path to baseball started at Michigan State University, but a childhood accident would change everything about how he played.

Family Origins and Childhood

Donald John Gross came into the world on June 30, 1931, in Weidman, Michigan. This small, central Michigan community gave him a simple, modest start.

His dad, Charles Gross, grew up in Illinois and worked as a painter. Charles painted houses inside and out, and even took on oil tanks for Pure Oil Company. Don’s mom, Agnes, came from Michigan and kept busy raising their big family.

The Gross home was always full of life. By 1940, Charles and Agnes had six kids living under their roof:

• Virginia (age 12)
• Patricia and Donald (both age 8)
• Marilyn (age 6)
• Joan (age 4)
• Robert (age 3)

Growing up in a working-class family in rural Michigan shaped Don’s early years. They made it through the Great Depression and World War II, and those tough times definitely influenced his practical approach to life and baseball.

Education and Michigan State University

Don Gross went to Weidman High School, where he got hooked on baseball through the school’s sports program.

“I played it in high school and I just wanted to pursue it,” Gross said in a 2012 interview. That simple drive kept him going after graduation.

After high school, Gross enrolled at Michigan State University. College gave him a chance to keep developing his baseball skills.

But his time at Michigan State didn’t last long. After his freshman year, the Cincinnati Reds came calling, and Gross decided to leave college and go pro. Signing with the Reds kicked off what would be a 13-year run in professional baseball.

Injury and Transition to Left-Handed Pitching

One childhood accident totally changed Don Gross’s baseball future. It set him on the path to becoming a left-handed pitcher.

“I was right-handed as a young boy,” Gross remembered in 1956. “At the age of 7, I caught my arm in a washing machine and broke my arm.”

That washing machine injury forced Don to adapt fast. “I switched to the left and have been throwing and batting that way ever since,” he said.

What could have ended his baseball dreams actually gave him a new edge. Switching to left-handed pitching turned out to be a big advantage.

By the time he got to Michigan State and then signed with the Reds, Gross had fully developed his left-handed pitching. Adapting like that showed the resilience that would define his whole career.

Professional Baseball Career

Don Gross spent 13 years in professional baseball from 1950 to 1963, with a break for military service. He started out in the Cincinnati organization and bounced around several minor league teams.

Signing With Cincinnati Reds

Gross kicked off his pro career by signing with the Cincinnati Reds in 1950. At just 19, the lefty from Weidman jumped into the minors.

He got his first assignment in the lower levels of the Reds’ farm system. Like a lot of young prospects, Gross started out learning the ropes.

The Reds—sometimes called the Redlegs back then—gave Gross his first real shot at developing as a pitcher. That signing marked the beginning of a long, winding career.

Minor League Development and Achievements

Gross spent a lot of time honing his craft in the minors, moving through several organizations and leagues.

Key Minor League Teams:

• Ohio-Indiana League teams
• Welch Miners (Appalachian League)
• Charleston (South Atlantic League)
• Columbia (South Atlantic League)
• Tulsa Oilers (Central League)
• Havana Sugar Kings (International League)
• Macon Peaches (South Atlantic League)
• Syracuse Chiefs (International League)

Across his career, Gross played for twelve different minor league teams. That kind of experience helped him build the skills he needed for the majors.

Playing in the Pioneer League and other circuits gave him plenty of tough competition. The minors really served as his training ground for what was to come.

Military Service and Career Interruption

Military service interrupted Gross’s baseball career in the early 1950s. He served for most of 1952 and all of 1953, missing nearly two seasons.

That break came at a crucial time for the young pitcher. Gross was still trying to find his footing in pro baseball when he had to put his career on hold.

After finishing his military service, Gross got back to baseball in 1954. He picked up where he left off, working his way through the minors again.

A lot of players from that era had their careers interrupted by military obligations during the Korean War. Gross was one of many who had to juggle both.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Don Gross pitched in the majors for six seasons from 1955 to 1960, suiting up for both the Cincinnati Redlegs and Pittsburgh Pirates. Over 145 games, he tallied 20 wins and 22 losses as a lefty.

MLB Debut and Early Years With Cincinnati Redlegs

Gross made his big league debut on July 21, 1955, at age 24, facing the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched 5 innings that day, giving up 6 hits and 2 earned runs, and walked 3.

The Redlegs signed Gross after his time at Michigan State. He stood 5’11” and weighed 186 pounds, which was pretty standard for pitchers back then.

Gross spent his first three big league seasons with Cincinnati, from 1955 to 1957. He worked hard to become a reliable lefty in the National League.

His rookie year in 1955 showed some promise, as he got enough innings to lose rookie status. The Redlegs mostly used him as a starter, but he made relief appearances when they needed him.

Trade to Pittsburgh Pirates and Notable Performances

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up Gross in 1958, and he spent his last three MLB seasons with them. He pitched for Pittsburgh through 1960, helping out in their rotation.

Gross made his final MLB appearance on May 25, 1960, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw 2 innings, gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run, and struck out one.

The Pirates used Gross as both a starter and reliever. His left-handed pitching gave them some much-needed depth in the late 1950s.

Arm trouble kept bothering him throughout his career, limiting what he could do. If he’d played today, maybe modern medicine would have helped, but back then, he just had to tough it out.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Don Gross finished his MLB career with a 20-22 record over six seasons for Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. He appeared in 145 games total.

His pro career stretched from 1950 to 1963, though he missed time in 1952 and 1953 for military service. Most of his playing days were spent in the minors.

Career Highlights:

• 6 MLB seasons (1955-1960)
• 145 games pitched
• 20 career wins
• Teams: Cincinnati Redlegs, Pittsburgh Pirates

Gross stands as one of those players who kept Major League Baseball going in the 1950s. His career bridged the gap between the old National League and the start of the modern era.

Notable Games, Trades, and Opponents

Don Gross saw some key moments in his six-year Major League career with the Cincinnati Redlegs and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was part of a notable trade involving Bob Purkey and went up against stars like Bobby Thomson, which definitely shaped his story.

Key Games and Close Calls

Gross made his Major League debut on July 21, 1955, against the Phillies at age 24. He tossed 5 innings, allowed 6 hits and 2 earned runs, and walked 3. He didn’t strike anyone out, but he showed some promise.

His last big league game came on May 25, 1960. That season, Gross appeared in only 5 games for the Pirates. His role had clearly shrunk quite a bit from his earlier days with Cincinnati.

Across 145 games, Gross finished with a 20-22 record. He often pitched in tight games where his performance really mattered. His ERA and game-by-game results show how tough it was to be a pitcher, especially one bouncing between relief and spot starts in the late 1950s.

Trade Involving Bob Purkey

The biggest trade of Gross’s career involved pitcher Bob Purkey. Both were lefties whose careers overlapped in the National League. Purkey went on to become a National League All-Star, the kind of pitcher every team wanted.

This trade showed the Reds and Pirates had different ideas about building a team. Cincinnati wanted to develop young arms, while Pittsburgh wanted more experience. The deal happened as Gross moved from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, right around 1957-1958.

It’s interesting how teams valued pitchers differently back then. Gross left Cincinnati as they shook up their roster, and Pittsburgh hoped he’d give their rotation some left-handed depth.

Facing Notable Opponents Like Bobby Thomson

Gross often faced off against established National League stars, including Bobby Thomson—the guy famous for the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” These matchups were real tests of his abilities.

Thomson in the batter’s box meant facing a hitter with a clutch reputation. These battles happened during Gross’s time with both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

He also went up against other National League All-Stars who pushed him to his limits. How he did against these big names often determined whether he’d stick with the team or move on.

Later Career and Retirement

Don Gross’s last years in professional baseball were marked by ongoing arm problems that limited what he could do. His final Major League appearance came on May 25, 1960, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, closing out a six-season MLB career from 1955 to 1960.

Final MLB Season in 1960

Gross started the 1960 season with the Pirates after three years with the Cincinnati Redlegs. His time in Pittsburgh was short and honestly, kind of rough.

Recurring arm troubles kept getting in the way, making it tough for him to perform during his last MLB season.

His final game was on May 25, 1960, against the Dodgers. He pitched 2 innings, gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run, struck out one, and didn’t walk anyone.

The Pirates released him soon after that. At just 28, Gross was left searching for ways to keep playing professional baseball outside the majors.

Minor League Years After the Majors

After he left the Pirates, Gross went back to the minor leagues. He had spent a big chunk of his 13-year career there already.

Gross kept playing through 1963, hoping to finally get past his arm troubles. He bounced around to different teams in the Pirates’ farm system, always trying to get back to form.

Those arm problems never really let up, and they kept limiting what he could do. Still, Gross didn’t give up.

He stayed determined and kept chasing his baseball dreams. He played for teams like the Columbus Jets, doing his best to hold on as a pitcher.

Retirement From Professional Baseball

Gross called it a career in 1963, wrapping up a 13-year run that started way back in 1950. Military service took him away from the game for most of 1952 and all of 1953.

His career stats ended up at 20-22 across 145 Major League games. He put up those numbers while fighting through arm issues—honestly, with today’s medicine, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.

After baseball, the Michigan native made his way back home. He settled in Weidman, Michigan, right where he grew up before any of the pro ball stuff started.

Legacy and Personal Life

Don Gross definitely left a mark on the game with his steady pitching and dedication to baseball. After he retired in 1960, he just went back to his Michigan roots, living quietly until his passing in 2017.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Gross gave both the Cincinnati Redlegs and Pittsburgh Pirates a reliable lefty arm during his MLB years from 1955 to 1960. At 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, he was about average size for a pitcher back then.

He made his big league debut on July 21, 1955, facing the Philadelphia Phillies. That day, he pitched five innings, gave up six hits, and allowed two earned runs.

Gross played three seasons with Cincinnati (1955-57) before moving over to Pittsburgh (1958-60). His last MLB game came on May 25, 1960, closing the book on his major league days.

Arm troubles kept nagging him in the majors, and that really put a ceiling on what he could do. You have to wonder—if he’d played in a different era, would better treatments have kept him on the mound longer?

Life After Baseball

Once he stepped away from pro baseball in 1960, Donald John Gross went home to Weidman, Michigan. He slipped into a quieter life, far from the spotlight he once knew.

Gross stayed in Weidman for the rest of his days, keeping close to the small Michigan community he was born into. That town gave him a peaceful place to settle down, nothing like the grind of pro sports.

He spent 57 years living there after his baseball career ended. That long stretch let him focus on other interests and stay close with family and friends.

Not much is out there about what he did for work or hobbies after baseball. Like a lot of players from his time, he just seemed to prefer a private life once the games were over.

Remembering Don Gross

Don Gross died on August 10, 2017, at age 86 in Weidman, Michigan. That’s the same small town where he first came into the world.

They buried him at St. Joseph the Worker Cemetery in Beal City, just a short drive away.

His life stretched across almost nine decades. Gross saw baseball change a lot, from the integration era in the 1950s all the way to the fast-paced game in the 2010s.

He pitched left-handed and played professionally for 13 years. That included his minor league days from 1950 to 1952, and again from 1954 through 1963.

He took a break from baseball for military service during 1952 and 1953. Like a lot of guys back then, he put his career on hold to serve.

Gross stands as one of those players who quietly shaped baseball in the 1950s and early ’60s, even if he didn’t become a household name. He gave two National League teams a steady presence, helping connect baseball’s early modern era to the expansion years that came next.