Hal Gregg – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Harold Dana Gregg left Major League Baseball after the 1952 season, closing out a decade in the big leagues that mixed flashes of brilliance with nagging injuries. He grew up on an orange farm in Anaheim, California, and didn’t even play organized baseball until he was 18. Somehow, his powerful fastball still got him to the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers just three years later.

Gregg hung up his cleats for good in 1952 after his final season with the New York Giants. That wrapped up a nine-season career that included a spot in the 1947 World Series.

The right-hander’s time in baseball swung wildly between high points and tough stretches. He earned consensus honors as the National League’s best starting pitcher in 1945, a year when World War II canceled the All-Star Game. Gregg also played a supporting role in one of baseball’s most historic days, picking up the win on April 15, 1947, when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.

Gregg’s journey through the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Giants was never easy. He fought chronic back problems that started when he worked at a feed mill as a teenager. His career record—40 wins and 48 losses—only tells part of the story. Gregg’s blazing fastball and wildness made him both intimidating and unpredictable every time he took the mound.

Overview of Hal Gregg’s Baseball Career

Harold Dana Gregg pitched in Major League Baseball from 1943 to 1952. He finished with a 40-48 record and 401 strikeouts, playing for three National League teams.

He showed real talent, but chronic back injuries and control issues held him back.

Early Life and Entry Into MLB

Gregg was born July 11, 1921, in Anaheim, California. He grew up on his family’s orange farm, and he built up his arm strength by throwing oranges at whatever targets he could find.

He didn’t care much for baseball as a kid. Instead, he worked at a feed mill, hauling 160-pound grain sacks onto trucks. That job wrecked his back by the time he turned 18.

James, his older brother and a high school baseball star, saw Hal’s arm strength and convinced him to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers’ baseball school in Long Beach. Hal had never played competitive baseball before.

Dodgers scout Ted McGrew watched Gregg throw just two fastballs and immediately offered him a minor league contract in 1941 with the Santa Barbara Saints of the Class C California League.

Gregg’s early progress got derailed by back surgery. He went through several procedures, including spinal fusion, before finally making his MLB debut on August 18, 1943, with the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 22.

Professional Teams and Timeline

Gregg spent his nine MLB seasons with three National League teams.

Brooklyn Dodgers (1943-1947)
He debuted in a rough start against the Chicago Cubs. Gregg struggled with control at first and led the NL in walks in 1944.
His best year came in 1945—he went 18-13 with a 3.47 ERA. Gregg started Game 7 of the 1947 World Series against the Yankees.

Pittsburgh Pirates (1948-1950)
The Dodgers traded him to Pittsburgh on December 8, 1947, along with Vic Lombardi.
His performance slipped as arm injuries piled up. Gregg bounced between the majors and minors in 1949 and 1950.
He quit baseball after the 1950 season because of his physical problems.

New York Giants (1952)
Gregg made a comeback with the Oakland Oaks in the Pacific Coast League.
The Giants bought his contract for $35,000 on June 13, 1952.
He pitched his last MLB game on August 17, 1952, against the Boston Braves.

Position and Style of Play

Gregg worked as a right-handed starting pitcher and was famous for his blazing fastball. At 6’3″ and 195 pounds, he had the size and strength to dominate when he was healthy.

His pitching style relied on that overpowering fastball, which caught the eye of anyone watching. But control was always a struggle—he led the NL in walks more than once.

Career Statistics:

• Record: 40-48
• ERA: 4.54
• Strikeouts: 401
• Innings Pitched: 827

Because of his back problems, Gregg had to change his delivery, and that took some heat off his fastball. He often pitched with a back brace to keep his spine stable.

Even with the control issues, Gregg could be brilliant. In 1945, Associated Press baseball writers called him the best starting pitcher in the National League. People called him “Skeets,” and he built a reputation for being fiercely competitive, even with his physical limits.

Statistical Highlights and Performance

Gregg’s nine years in the majors produced some memorable moments, like his 18-win season in 1945, but also plenty of tough stretches. His numbers show the ups and downs, from his best years with Brooklyn to his late-career decline.

Career Pitching Statistics

Gregg finished with 40 wins and 48 losses in 201 games from 1943 to 1952. His career ERA was 4.54, which hints at the challenges he faced.

His best season was 1945—he picked up 18 wins for Brooklyn with a 3.47 ERA. That year, he threw 254.1 innings and struck out 139 batters, both career highs.

Gregg racked up 401 strikeouts in total. He pitched 827 innings and finished 27 games, with 4 shutouts along the way.

Key Career Numbers:

• Wins: 40
• Losses: 48
• ERA: 4.54
• Strikeouts: 401
• Innings Pitched: 827.0

His worst season came in 1950 with Pittsburgh, where he put up a 13.50 ERA in limited work.

Batting Achievements

Gregg pitched before the designated hitter, but his bat didn’t add much. Pitchers in that era almost never hit well, and Gregg was no exception.

There’s not much available in the way of batting stats for Gregg, which was pretty normal for pitchers back then.

Most National League pitchers during the ‘40s and early ‘50s barely hit at all. Teams valued them for their pitching, not their offense.

Advanced Metrics and WAR

Gregg’s career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ended up at -1.0, which means he performed below replacement level across his career. That lines up with his struggles to stay consistent.

His best WAR season was 1945, coming in at 2.8 and matching his 18-win campaign. That was the year he delivered the most value for Brooklyn.

Looking at advanced stats, his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was 4.08 for his career. So, his underlying performance might’ve been a bit better than the ERA suggests.

Gregg’s WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) finished at 1.509—a number that shows just how much his control issues affected him.

In 1945, he got some MVP attention, finishing 29th in National League voting. That was his only time on the ballot.

1947 World Series and Key Moments

Hal Gregg had a big part in the 1947 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees. He came out of the bullpen in Game 4 and helped set up one of the Series’ wildest moments. Then he got the ball to start Game 7, though things didn’t go his way.

Game 4 Relief Appearance vs. Bill Bevens

Gregg entered Game 4 when starter Harry Taylor left with the bases loaded and nobody out in the first inning. The Yankees had a 1-0 lead, and Brooklyn was in trouble.

Gregg got out of the jam and allowed just one run over the next six innings. He kept the Dodgers close all game.

The night turned historic when Cookie Lavagetto broke up Bill Bevens’ no-hitter with a two-out double in the ninth. Bevens had walked 10 but hadn’t given up a hit until then.

Gregg’s steady work on the mound was crucial to Brooklyn’s 3-2 win. Without his six innings of relief, Lavagetto never gets that chance.

Game 7 World Series Start

Manager Burt Shotton surprised everyone by naming Gregg the Game 7 starter, probably because of how well he’d pitched in Game 4. Gregg had split his time between starting and relieving that season.

He struggled right away against the Yankees. Gregg lasted just three and two-thirds innings, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and walking four.

The Yankees jumped ahead early and never looked back. Gregg struck out three, but he couldn’t control the game when it mattered most.

New York won 5-2, and Gregg took the loss. Brooklyn’s World Series hopes ended that day.

Impact on the Brooklyn Dodgers

Gregg’s World Series performance was a mixed bag for the Dodgers. His Game 4 relief outing showed he could deliver in clutch spots.

Starting Game 7, even if it didn’t work out, showed the manager trusted him. Not many pitchers ever get to start a Game 7 in the World Series.

Brooklyn traded Gregg to the Pittsburgh Pirates not long after the Series—December 8, 1947, to be exact. He and Vic Lombardi went to Pittsburgh for Billy Cox, Gene Mauch, and Preacher Roe.

The 1947 Series marked both Gregg’s biggest moment and his last hurrah with Brooklyn. He helped get them to Game 7, even if the ending was bittersweet.

Notable Seasons and All-Star Recognition

Hal Gregg’s best year came in 1945. That season, he picked up his only All-Star selection and set a bunch of personal bests. He became a key pitcher for the Dodgers and later played a part in some of the most memorable World Series games.

1945 All-Star Selection

Gregg made the All-Star team in 1945 while pitching for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was during his breakout season, with his best numbers.

The NL All-Star nod was the high point of Gregg’s nine-year career. He earned it with a strong first half that year.

That selection was really the only major individual honor Gregg received during his time in the majors.

Career-High Achievements

Gregg’s 1945 season was full of career highs. He won 18 games and lost 13, making him one of Brooklyn’s most dependable arms.

He also pitched over 200 innings for the only time in his career. That kind of durability was huge for the Dodgers’ rotation.

He led the National League in walks in both 1944 and 1945, though. Control was always an issue, but it didn’t stop him from having his best year.

Role in Historic Games

Gregg played a huge part in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series against the Yankees. He came in as a reliever during the first inning with the bases loaded and one out.

He stopped the Yankees’ rally and pitched seven more innings, giving up just one run. The Dodgers won when Cookie Lavagetto broke up Bevens’ no-hit bid with a ninth-inning double.

Gregg’s strong relief work earned him the start for Game 7, but he was pulled in the fourth as the Yankees took a 3-2 lead and eventually won 5-2.

Later Years, Retirement, and Legacy

Hal Gregg’s baseball career wrapped up after one final season with the New York Giants in 1952. That capped a nine-year major league run that began during World War II.

After baseball, Gregg headed back to California and returned to the orange farming business that shaped his early life.

Final MLB Season With New York Giants

On June 13, 1952, the New York Giants bought Gregg’s contract from the Oakland Oaks for $35,000. By mid-June, he’d put together an impressive 11-3 record with the Oaks.

Leo Durocher managed the Giants then, and he already knew Gregg from their time with the Brooklyn Dodgers. That familiarity probably helped Gregg get another shot.

Gregg’s stint with the Giants would be his last in the major leagues. He’d actually retired after the 1950 season because of arm injuries and chronic back pain.

But the Pirates offered him a tryout in 1952, and that pulled him back into the game for a bit. When the Pirates cut him, Gregg took an offer from Mel Ott, who managed the Oakland Oaks.

He pitched well for the Oaks, and that performance earned him one last chance in the majors with the Giants at 31. Not many players get that kind of second act.

Post-MLB Baseball and Retirement

After the 1952 season with the Giants, Gregg made one final appearance for the Oakland Oaks in 1953. That marked the end of his 13-year professional baseball career.

Injuries had followed him throughout his playing days. Once he left baseball, Gregg headed back to Anaheim, California, where he’d grown up on his family’s orange farm.

He went back to working full-time in the orange business, picking up where he left off before baseball took over. That return to farming felt like coming full circle for the pitcher who used to build his arm strength by throwing oranges at targets as a kid.

Gregg’s back problems started way before his baseball career. As a teenager, he worked at a feed mill, lifting 160-pound grain sacks onto trucks.

Those heavy loads did a number on his spine, and he eventually needed multiple surgeries. That pain never really left him.

Lasting Influence and Legacy

Gregg finished his career with a record of 40 wins and 48 losses over 204 MLB games. He struck out 401 batters during his nine seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Giants.

One of his biggest moments came in 1947, when he picked up the win in Jackie Robinson’s debut game on April 15. Gregg threw two and a third scoreless innings against the Boston Braves that day.

In 1945, Associated Press writers picked him as the best starting pitcher in the National League. The All-Star Game didn’t happen that year because of World War II.

Gregg wrapped up that season with an 18-13 record and a 3.47 ERA. That year really stood out in his career.

Harold Dana Gregg died on May 13, 1991, at 69 years old. He’d been married to Alice Wyatt since 1946, and together they had three sons.

Personal Life and Biographical Details

Harold Dana Gregg was born July 11, 1921, in Anaheim, California, and grew up on an orange farm before baseball came calling. He married Alice Wyatt in 1946, had three sons, and later moved into business after his baseball career ended in 1952.

Family Background

Hal Gregg’s parents, Calvin and Margaret Smylmo Gregg, owned and ran an orange farm in Anaheim. Their big orange grove stretched out behind the family home, and that’s where Hal learned to work from an early age.

During the Great Depression, his parents stuck with orange farming through tough times. Hal had two older brothers, James and Malcolm.

James played high school baseball and some semipro ball. He was the one who pushed Hal to give baseball a try after noticing how hard his younger brother could throw.

On May 2, 1946, Gregg married Alice Wyatt, a 21-year-old fashion model from Forest Hills, New York. They had their wedding at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon, New York.

The couple went on to have three sons: Harold Jr., Gregory, and James. Their marriage lasted 45 years, right up until Hal’s death in 1991.

Alice was a steady presence during his baseball career and helped him through injuries and the ups and downs of the game.

Life After Baseball

When Gregg retired from professional baseball in 1952, he returned home to Anaheim. He focused on his orange-growing business, something he’d always kept going on the side.

The transition from baseball to farming felt pretty natural for him, considering his childhood on the family grove. He brought the same determination from the mound to his work in citrus.

He lived a quiet life in California for nearly four decades after leaving baseball. Gregg stayed in touch with the sport, but most of his energy went into his business and family.

Gregg died on May 13, 1991, at 69. His passing closed the book on a life that connected baseball’s wartime era to the years that followed.

Recognition in Baseball History

Hal Gregg carved out a unique spot in baseball history as the winning pitcher on April 15, 1947, when Jackie Robinson made his legendary major league debut. He threw 2⅓ scoreless innings in relief and locked down the victory for Brooklyn.

People often overlook his role in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series, but it was pretty significant. Gregg came in with the bases loaded and nobody out, stopped the bleeding, and helped set up Cookie Lavagetto’s famous game-winning hit that shattered Floyd Bevens’s no-hitter.

Gregg didn’t have the flashiest numbers—he finished his career with a 40-48 record and a 4.54 ERA. Still, his 18-win season in 1945 really put him on the map as one of the National League’s top pitchers during the war years.

Baseball writers even called him the best starting pitcher in the National League that season. His career stretched over nine seasons and three teams: the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Giants.

He racked up 401 strikeouts across 827 innings pitched. Not too shabby, right?