Greg Pryor – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Greg Pryor carved out a unique spot in baseball history over his ten-season Major League run from 1976 to 1986. He bounced around three teams, but he really found his groove with the Kansas City Royals, backing up Hall of Famers George Brett and Frank White. His path, from a sixth-round draft pick to World Series champ, just screams dedication and perseverance—pretty much what pro baseball is all about.

Pryor hung up his cleats in 1986 after batting .250 for his career and snagging a World Series ring with the 1985 Royals. In his last season, he played in 63 games, wrapping up a decade where he filled in all over the infield. The Ohio native’s playing days ended when the Royals let him go during spring training in 1987. Still, his influence on his teams stretched way beyond the numbers.

He started out with the Texas Rangers and had some unforgettable moments in pinstripes against the New York Yankees. Pryor’s career put him right in the middle of some of baseball’s biggest games and legends. His story really gets at what it’s like to be a utility player trying to make the most of every opportunity at the top level.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball Career

Gregory Russell Pryor was born October 2, 1949, in Marietta, Ohio. He was the fourth of six kids born to George and Martha Pryor.

His dad coached high school football and taught math, so sports were always front and center for Greg. College at Florida Southern changed everything for him, turning an overlooked kid into an NCAA standout.

Family and Background

Growing up, Greg’s house revolved around sports. His dad, George, coached football and taught math at a bunch of Ohio schools.

Martha, his mom, somehow kept the home running for all six Pryor kids. The family’s roots traced back to England before they settled in Ohio.

George Pryor wanted all his kids to try different sports, not just baseball. When Greg and his brother Jeff were young, their dad built two pitching mounds in the backyard and even made wooden home plates.

Every day after school, Greg and Jeff practiced pitching, working on throwing strikes until it became second nature. All that practice paid off—they both became solid Little League pitchers.

Funny enough, Greg liked golf and basketball more than baseball at first. In 1964, when Greg was a sophomore, the family moved to Orlando, Florida.

He graduated from Maynard Evans High School in 1967. As a high schooler, Greg played second base and was considered decent, but he was only 5’7″ and 150 pounds at graduation.

No college offered him a scholarship, and MLB teams didn’t even look his way in the draft.

Florida Southern College Years

Greg ended up at Florida Southern College thanks to some creative negotiating by his dad. George told the coach he’d send Jeff—Greg’s talented pitcher brother—somewhere else unless Greg got a scholarship too.

It worked, and Greg enrolled at Florida Southern in Lakeland, Florida. He didn’t play much at first and struggled at the plate.

Greg even admitted he was “the worst hitter on my team” for his first two years. Then he hurt his shoulder badly in summer ball in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

He dove for a ball, dislocated his left shoulder, and the doctor told him he’d never use that arm properly again. That sounded bleak, but the shoulder healed up, and Greg kept playing.

Between his freshman and senior years, he grew five inches and put on 30 pounds. That growth spurt matched a big jump in how he played.

By junior year, he’d turned into a real prospect. He got his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management around 1971.

NCAA Division II All-America Honors

Greg’s hard work paid off in his last two college seasons. He made the NCAA Division II All-America team as a second baseman in both his junior and senior years.

That was a huge turnaround from his rough start. The All-America nods proved he’d grown a lot as a player.

Scouts started to notice. The Washington Senators picked him in the sixth round of the June 1971 draft.

His draft class included future stars like George Brett and Mike Schmidt. After graduation, he went to Geneva, New York, to play in the New York-Pennsylvania League and start his pro career.

Those All-America honors capped off his amateur days. They showed what you can do if you just keep grinding and growing, no matter what people think at first.

Major League Baseball Journey

Greg Pryor’s MLB career stretched from 1976 to 1986, and he bounced through four organizations. He started with the Texas Rangers, moved through the Washington Senators system, spent four years with the Chicago White Sox, and wrapped up with five seasons as a utility guy for the Kansas City Royals.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Pryor made his big-league debut on June 4, 1976, with the Texas Rangers at age 26. He got two at-bats, picked up a hit, and drove in a run against the Detroit Tigers.

After a short stint with Texas, the Rangers traded him to the Yankees in February 1977. He never played in the majors for New York, though, and spent the year in Triple-A Syracuse.

That year, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner actually offered Pryor a two-year major league deal. Oddly enough, Pryor turned it down and signed with the Chicago White Sox as a free agent.

The Senators originally drafted him in 1971, 125th overall. He’d just finished up at Florida Southern.

Tenure with Chicago White Sox

Pryor joined the White Sox in 1978 and played there through 1981. He really started to dislike the Kansas City Royals as a division rival during those years.

“When I was with the White Sox from 1978 to 1981, I learned how to really dislike the Kansas City Royals because they were so good, they were so fast and they were so professional,” Pryor said. “And it seemed like to me they were so cocky.”

Chicago gave Pryor regular time as a utility infielder. He played third, short, and second, picking up lots of experience.

His steady play in Chicago built his reputation as a reliable backup. That reputation paid off when the Royals came calling in spring training 1982.

Kansas City Royals Years

Pryor’s best years came with the Royals from 1982 to 1986. The Royals picked him up in the last week of spring training in 1982 after injuries hit Onix Concepcion and Tim Ireland.

In 1984, he had his best season—hitting .263 over 123 games. He mostly backed up Hall of Famers George Brett and Frank White.

Pryor’s Royals Stats:

• 1982: 73 games, .270 average, 2 home runs, 12 RBIs
• 1983: 68 games, .217 average, 1 home run, 14 RBIs
• 1984: 123 games, .263 average, 4 home runs, 25 RBIs
• 1985: 63 games, .219 average, 1 home run, 3 RBIs
• 1986: 63 games, .170 average, 0 home runs, 7 RBIs

He played in the postseason in 1984 and 1985. The Royals won the 1985 World Series, and Pryor got a ring.

He even played third base for the end of the Pine Tar Game at Yankee Stadium, subbing in for Brett. The Royals released him during spring training in 1987, closing out his 10-year big league career.

Playing Style and On-Field Contributions

Greg Pryor made his mark in the majors with versatility and reliability, not flashy numbers. He played solid defense at several infield spots and came through in clutch moments, making him a valuable utility guy for contending teams.

Position and Skills as Shortstop

Pryor mainly played shortstop, but he could move around the infield with ease. Early on, he worked a ton with his dad and brother Jeff on throwing mechanics, which really helped him become a steady defender.

His defense wasn’t always smooth sailing. In 1973 with Rocky Mount, he made 49 errors in 126 games at shortstop. On top of that, he battled back from a nasty shoulder injury that could’ve ended his career.

By the time he reached the majors, he was a dependable glove. He could handle short, second, or third, which managers loved. Tony La Russa wanted him as a “super utility player” when he was with the White Sox.

With the Royals, Pryor was the main backup to All-Star George Brett at third and Gold Glover Frank White at second. He could step in whenever someone was hurt or just needed a breather.

Career Statistics and Notable Achievements

Over ten MLB seasons, Pryor hit .250. His stats weren’t eye-popping, but he brought more to the table than numbers.

His best offensive year was 1979 with the White Sox—he hit .275 in 143 games. That was his biggest chance as a regular. He even shared the White Sox Rookie of the Year award in 1978 after playing 82 games at three infield spots.

Back in college at Florida Southern, he batted .333 with 118 RBIs over four years and earned All-American honors twice. From freshman to senior year, he grew five inches and gained 30 pounds, which really changed his game.

He stuck it out in the minors for years before finally locking down a big-league spot at 28. That 1985 World Series title with Kansas City was the highlight of his career.

Home Runs and Runs Scored

Pryor wasn’t a power hitter—he knew it, and so did everyone else. Rangers farm director Hal Keller once told him, “You can’t field, you can’t run, you have little power but you can hit a little bit.” Pryor just found other ways to help out on offense.

He focused on making contact and getting on base instead of trying to drive in runs. That approach fit his role as a utility guy, coming in late or as a defensive sub.

One time in winter ball in Mexico, he actually homered off Venezuelan League star George Brunet during the Caribbean World Series. So, the power was there once in a while.

Most of the time, his value came from situational hitting. As George Brett’s backup, Pryor often had to deliver in big spots without much rhythm at the plate.

Key Games and Moments

Pryor’s most famous moment? That would be the Pine Tar Incident at Yankee Stadium on July 24, 1983. He was hanging out in the left field bullpen when George Brett’s home run got wiped out for too much pine tar. The whole thing turned into one of baseball’s wildest scenes.

His “supersub” status hit its peak during the Royals’ 1984 AL West title run. He filled in for both Brett and White when they went down, helping push Kansas City to the playoffs.

Winning the 1985 World Series was the ultimate payoff for all those years grinding in the minors and bouncing around as a backup.

Back in 1977 with Syracuse, Pryor led a “Mustache Revolt” to protest the Yankees’ facial hair policy. That move actually got the team to change the rule and showed Pryor wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed.

Historic Highlights and Legendary Games

Greg Pryor saw some of baseball’s most unforgettable moments during his decade in the big leagues. His years with the Kansas City Royals put him right in the middle of dramatic playoff runs and the infamous Pine Tar Game with George Brett.

The Pine Tar Game at Yankee Stadium

The Pine Tar Game on July 24, 1983, stands out as one of baseball’s wildest controversies. George Brett smacked what looked like a go-ahead home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Billy Martin, the Yankees’ manager, quickly protested that Brett’s bat had too much pine tar. The umpires agreed, called Brett out, and wiped away the home run.

Brett absolutely lost it, charging from the dugout in a scene that’s still legendary. Pryor and his teammates watched their captain get tossed for the pine tar violation.

The Royals didn’t let it go. They filed an official protest.

American League president Lee MacPhail stepped in later and overturned the call, saying the home run should count. The game picked up again weeks later, with the Royals ahead 5-4.

Pryor was right there on the field as Kansas City finished off the win, capping one of baseball’s strangest games.

Role in the 1985 World Series Team

Pryor grabbed his World Series ring as a utility player for the 1985 Kansas City Royals. He showed up in crucial games during the team’s championship push.

The Royals went up against the St. Louis Cardinals in the “I-70 Series.” Pryor chipped in both on defense and at the plate when the team needed him during the postseason.

Kansas City trailed 3-1 in the series, but then pulled off a historic comeback. Pryor was part of that squad, helping them win three straight and secure the franchise’s first World Series title.

His ability to play all over the infield proved valuable in the playoffs. Manager Dick Howser counted on Pryor’s steady glove and veteran mindset when things got tense.

George Brett and Team Interactions

Pryor shared the field with George Brett during Brett’s prime years in Kansas City. Brett’s intensity and leadership really set the tone for the Royals through the 1980s.

The two infielders built a solid working relationship. Pryor often stepped in at third base when Brett got hurt, seeing a lot of action in 1984.

Pryor hit career highs in home runs during that 1984 season while Brett recovered. His steady play helped the Royals stay in the mix while Brett was out.

Team chemistry went beyond just Brett. Pryor also played with rising stars like Bo Jackson, who joined the Royals near the end of Pryor’s career in 1986.

Post-Retirement Life and Business Ventures

After hanging up his cleats in 1987, Greg Pryor turned his passion for health and fitness into a thriving business. He launched Life Priority in 1995, a nutritional supplements company that’s been running strong in the Kansas City area for over thirty years.

Founding of Life Priority

Greg Pryor started Life Priority in 1995 in Lenexa, Kansas, about eight years after his baseball days ended. The company grew out of his personal drive to stay healthy after leaving pro sports.

Pryor saw that former athletes struggled to stay fit without the strict routines of professional training. His years as a backup infielder for the Royals from 1982 to 1987 gave him a unique view into what active people need nutritionally.

Life Priority began as a small operation focused on quality health supplements. Pryor built the company on the belief that good nutrition can help people keep active lifestyles long after their playing days.

Over time, Life Priority has become a respected name in the supplements industry. The company still operates out of the Kansas City area, where Pryor spent his last five seasons as a Royal.

Contributions to Physical Fitness and Health

Pryor never lost his commitment to health and fitness in retirement. More than three decades after leaving pro baseball, he still champions healthy, active living through his businesses.

He founded Sports-Aholic Inc. along with Life Priority, serving as president of both. These ventures show his belief that fitness matters, no matter your age or athletic background.

Pryor mixes his baseball experience with practical health know-how. He knows firsthand how tough it can be to stay active, having felt the grind of pro competition.

His companies help people maintain their health through smart supplementation and daily choices. This work keeps him tied to the world of sports while helping others reach their own fitness goals.

Nutritional Supplements and Advocacy

Life Priority focuses on high-quality health and nutritional supplements backed by science. Under Pryor’s leadership, the company has built a reputation for trustworthy products over nearly thirty years.

Pryor and his wife Michelle still run the day-to-day operations. They put energy into offering supplements that support active living and overall wellness.

The former infielder believes in nutrition as the base for long-term health. His products target people who want to stay in shape without access to pro-level facilities.

Life Priority’s growth shows Pryor’s knack for turning his athletic background into business success. The company serves customers who share his drive to stay healthy and active.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Greg Pryor’s ten-year career left its mark through historic moments and his work as a versatile utility player who made the most of his chances. His bonds with teammates and managers shaped his journey and the teams he played for.

Memorable Anecdotes and Influence

Pryor found himself in the middle of one of baseball’s wildest moments. On July 24, 1983, he waited in the left field bullpen at Yankee Stadium during the Pine Tar Incident. When George Brett launched a ninth-inning home run that got wiped out for too much pine tar, Pryor witnessed the chaos up close.

Earlier, Pryor had led the “Mustache Revolt” in Syracuse in 1977. Frustrated with the Yankees’ treatment, he rallied teammates to grow facial hair against team rules. That bold move actually forced the Yankees to change their minor-league grooming policy.

His winter league stint in Venezuela under Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio brought some wild stories. Pryor once saw Aparicio fire a pearl-handled pistol into the clubhouse ceiling, then laugh as players dove for cover.

Recognition in the Baseball Community

Pryor picked up co-winner honors for the Chicago White Sox Rookie of the Year award in 1978. Chicago sportswriters and broadcasters gave him that nod after his first full season in the majors.

His college days at Florida Southern College earned him even more acclaim. Pryor made the NCAA Division II All-America team as a second baseman in both his junior and senior years. He later became the school’s first baseball player to reach the big leagues.

The 1985 World Series title with Kansas City stands as his biggest team achievement. Even though he played in just one game that series, his steady contributions all season helped the Royals grab their first championship.

Relationships with Teammates and Managers

George Steinbrenner definitely left his mark on Pryor’s career, though honestly, not in a good way. During the 1977 season, Steinbrenner called Pryor up from Syracuse and dangled a two-year guaranteed contract in front of him.

Pryor decided to turn it down and chase free agency instead. Steinbrenner didn’t take it well—he looked Pryor in the eye and called him a “dumbass.” Ouch.

In Kansas City, Pryor built strong bonds with some of the team’s stars. He kind of became the “chief caddy to George Brett,” which set up a mentoring dynamic.

He’d fill in for Brett when he was hurt, and often played the late innings after Brett’s last at-bat.

Manager Tony La Russa really shaped Pryor’s role when he joined the White Sox. La Russa wanted to mold him into “the kind of super utility player every club needs.”

That versatility ended up defining Pryor’s entire career.

Bob Wellman managed Pryor at Rocky Mount back in 1973, and Pryor never forgot him. Even though Pryor racked up 49 errors in 126 games, Wellman didn’t harp on those mistakes.

Instead, he focused on lifting Pryor up with positive feedback. That stuck with Pryor for a long time.