Ross Grimsley – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ross Grimsley built a solid career as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, competing from 1971 to 1982. Born on January 7, 1950, Grimsley threw for four teams over his 12 seasons: the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, and Cleveland Indians.

Grimsley’s most memorable moment happened in 1978 when he became the first Montreal Expos pitcher to win 20 games in a single season. That year, he posted a 20-11 record and picked up National League Pitcher of the Month honors for April. His performance put him alongside Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry as the only National League pitchers to notch 20 wins that season.

Grimsley picked up 124 wins and 99 losses in 346 games, making himself a dependable starter who could eat up innings. His journey through pro baseball gives a look at the pitching standards, team dynamics, and challenges players faced when switching organizations during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Ross Grimsley’s Baseball Career Overview

Ross Grimsley pitched for 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1971 to 1982. He put up a 124-99 record with a 3.81 ERA while playing for four different teams.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Grimsley made his big league debut on May 16, 1971, at age 21 for the Cincinnati Reds. He started against the Montreal Expos at Riverfront Stadium and took the loss after pitching 1.2 innings and giving up three earned runs.

The young lefty quickly found his footing. In his rookie season, he went 10-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts.

Grimsley’s best years with Cincinnati came from 1971 to 1973. In 1972, he went 14-8 with a 3.05 ERA, and the Reds won the National League championship. He pitched well in the World Series, going 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA, even though the Reds lost to Oakland in seven games.

In his last season with Cincinnati, he finished 13-10 with a 3.23 ERA. The Reds traded him to Baltimore after the 1973 season because of disagreements with manager Sparky Anderson about team appearance rules.

Final Season and Retirement in 1982

Grimsley wrapped up his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1982. He went back to Baltimore after Cleveland released him following the 1980 season, and he missed all of 1981.

His last season included 21 games with the Orioles. Grimsley’s final major league appearance came on September 24, 1982, against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched 2.1 innings, allowed three hits, and didn’t give up any earned runs.

Grimsley retired from professional baseball at age 32. Afterward, he stuck around the game as a minor league instructor and pitching coach for several organizations.

Notable Pitching Achievements

Grimsley’s career highlight came in 1978 with the Montreal Expos. That year, he went 20-11 with 19 complete games and three shutouts while pitching 263 innings. His 3.05 ERA earned him his only All-Star nod.

Career Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 124-99
• ERA: 3.81
• Strikeouts: 750
• Complete Games: 79
• Shutouts: 15

His best overall season with Baltimore happened in 1974, when he went 18-13 with 17 complete games in 39 starts. That helped the Orioles win the American League East division.

Grimsley finished seventh in Cy Young voting in 1978. People knew him for his durability, as he completed 79 games and threw over 2,000 innings in his career.

Teams and Key Seasons

Ross Grimsley pitched for four major league teams over his 11-season career from 1971 to 1982. His standout season came with Montreal in 1978, when he won 20 games and made his only All-Star appearance.

Cincinnati Reds Era

Grimsley started his big league career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1971. He spent three seasons with them, from 1971 to 1973. During his time in Cincinnati, he played for the group that would become the Big Red Machine.

His biggest moment with Cincinnati came in 1972, when he helped the Reds reach the World Series. The lefty contributed to one of baseball’s top teams in the early 1970s.

Grimsley learned a lot from veterans in Cincinnati and developed his skills in a winning atmosphere. That foundation helped him throughout his career.

Baltimore Orioles Contributions

Grimsley joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1974 and played there until 1977. He came back to Baltimore for his last season in 1982. The Orioles were another strong team in the 1970s, so Grimsley got to play for two championship-level organizations.

During his first stint, Grimsley was a steady starter for four straight seasons from 1974 to 1977. The Orioles had a reputation for strong pitching during those years.

His return to Baltimore in 1982 marked the end of his major league journey. Grimsley pitched in 21 games that final year, finishing his career where he’d enjoyed some of his best seasons.

Montreal Expos Highlights

Grimsley’s time with the Montreal Expos from 1978 to 1980 brought his best individual season. In 1978, he went 20-11 for the Expos. That effort earned him an All-Star spot and seventh place in Cy Young voting.

The 1978 season was the peak of Grimsley’s career. His 20 wins made him one of the National League’s best pitchers that year. He pulled off that feat in his first season with Montreal.

Grimsley spent three years with the Expos, staying with the team through 1980 and providing steady pitching. His Montreal years showed he could be a frontline starter.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

Grimsley’s time with the Cleveland Indians was short but still notable. He played for Cleveland during the 1980 season, which was his last stop before taking a year away from baseball.

The Indians released Grimsley after 1980, and he didn’t play in the majors during 1981. That break marked a transition before his final return to Baltimore.

His Cleveland stint was brief compared to his other teams. The Indians were rebuilding, so Grimsley’s veteran presence brought experience to a young staff.

Career Statistics and Performance

Ross Grimsley put together a 124-99 win-loss record over 11 seasons with a 3.81 ERA in 345 games. He completed 79 games and threw 15 shutouts, showing he could finish what he started in an era when pitchers often went the distance.

Win-Loss Records and ERA

Grimsley’s best season came in 1978 with Montreal, when he went 20-11 with a 3.05 ERA. That effort got him his only All-Star selection and seventh place in Cy Young voting. His 20 wins marked the high point of his career.

While pitching for Cincinnati from 1971 to 1973, Grimsley established himself as a reliable starter. He won 37 games and lost 25, with a 3.26 ERA over three seasons. His best early season was 1972, when he finished 14-8 with a 3.05 ERA.

The Baltimore years (1974-1977, 1982) had ups and downs. His 1974 season stood out, going 18-13 with a 3.07 ERA. Later seasons were tougher, including a rough 1979 with Montreal where he posted a 5.35 ERA.

Grimsley’s career ERA of 3.81 put him a bit below the league average for his era. He struck out 750 batters and walked 559, showing decent control, though not elite.

Major League Playoff Performances

Grimsley didn’t get a ton of playoff action even though he played for some strong teams. With Cincinnati, he was part of the postseason runs during the Big Red Machine era. His personal playoff stats were modest.

His biggest postseason contribution came during Cincinnati’s championship runs in the early 1970s. The Reds won the World Series in 1975 and 1976, but Grimsley had already moved to Baltimore by then.

During his Baltimore years, the Orioles stayed competitive, but Grimsley’s role shifted. He started during his peak but moved to relief work later on.

Complete Games and Shutouts

Grimsley finished 79 games in his career. In 1978, he completed 19 of his 36 starts, showing how durable he was as a starter at his best.

He threw 15 shutouts, including four in his excellent 1974 season with Baltimore. His 1978 year in Montreal also featured three shutouts, lining up with his 20-win campaign.

Those complete game numbers reflected how teams expected starters to finish games in the 1970s. Grimsley’s 17 complete games in 1974 really showed off that old-school approach and led to 295.2 innings pitched that year.

Personal Life and Background

Ross Grimsley’s story is tied to baseball from the start, shaped by a family legacy in the sport. Born in Topeka, Kansas on January 7, 1950, he grew up with baseball in his blood thanks to his father’s professional career.

Early Life and Education

Ross Albert Grimsley Jr. was born into a baseball family that understood the challenges of pro sports. His dad, Ross Sr., pitched for the Chicago White Sox in 1951 and served in World War II, then spent years in the minors.

The family settled in Memphis, Tennessee, where Ross went to Frayser High School. He graduated in 1969 after standing out in both basketball and baseball. That athleticism set him up well for a future in sports.

After high school, Grimsley attended Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tennessee. Junior college gave him extra time to develop before joining pro baseball. His play there caught the eye of major league scouts.

The Cincinnati Reds picked Grimsley in the first round, 17th overall, in the January 1969 amateur draft. Scouts clearly saw something special in his left-handed pitching and overall potential.

Family Baseball Legacy

The Grimsley family holds a unique spot as a father-son duo in Major League Baseball history. Ross Sr. pitched seven games for the Chicago White Sox in 1951, posting a 3.86 ERA but no decisions.

Ross Sr.’s experience gave his son valuable advice for navigating a baseball career. Having been through the grind of pro baseball, the elder Grimsley understood the mental and physical demands his son would face.

That father-son connection created a strong bond over the game. Ross Jr. often leaned on his dad’s knowledge of baseball and the lifestyle that came with it.

This family legacy put Ross Jr. in the select group of second-generation MLB players. The Grimsley name carried on through two generations, with both father and son adding to the sport’s history.

Recognition and Reputation

Ross Grimsley got his biggest recognition with his standout 1978 season in Montreal, becoming the franchise’s first 20-game winner and earning All-Star honors. His personality and unique style made him a memorable figure for teammates and fans alike.

Player Personality and Public Image

Grimsley built a reputation as a skilled left-handed pitcher, and honestly, he found his greatest success with the Montreal Expos. That historic 1978 season really set him apart—he became the first Expos pitcher to win 20 games in a single year, which is still pretty wild if you think about it.

Baseball circles took notice right away. He landed a spot on the National League All-Star team that year, and he finished seventh in Cy Young Award voting, which is no small feat.

His performance brought some real credibility to the young Expos franchise. Fans in Montreal especially valued what he did during that breakthrough year.

Grimsley carried himself with a professional demeanor, and his consistent play earned respect in clubhouses across several teams. He played for some competitive squads, like Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine and those strong Baltimore teams in the ’70s.

Unique Stories and Anecdotes

Grimsley grew up in a baseball family. His dad, Ross Grimsley Sr., pitched for the Chicago White Sox back in 1951. Being a second-generation major leaguer definitely gave his story a unique twist.

When people asked about other careers, Grimsley talked about his love for aviation. “I always loved flying, so I would of loved to be a pilot,” he admitted in a 2017 interview. He added, a bit wistfully, that he “never took the opportunity to get my license.”

His career stretched over 11 seasons from 1971 to 1982, with just a short break in 1981. He finished with 79 complete games, which really shows the kind of durability teams expected from starters back then.

He also got to pitch in the 1972 World Series with Cincinnati. That gave him a taste of baseball’s biggest stage pretty early on.

Net Worth and Post-Retirement Life

Ross Grimsley has kept his finances in good shape since his MLB career ended. Current estimates put his net worth around $5 million. After baseball, he mostly focused on personal interests, staying out of the public spotlight.

Estimated Net Worth

Recent reports estimate Ross Grimsley’s net worth at about $5 million. He earned most of that during his 11-year Major League Baseball career, which ran from 1971 to 1982.

His main source of income was his baseball salary. Grimsley played for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, and Cleveland Indians.

The lefty built his financial success on a productive MLB run. He notched career highlights like an 18-13 record with Baltimore in 1974, and he pitched well in the World Series for Cincinnati in 1972.

Key Financial Points:

• Primary Income: Baseball player salary
• Career Span: 11 seasons (1971-1982)
• Housing: Owns personal residence

Grimsley didn’t chase after big business deals or flashy endorsements after retiring. It looks like he’s kept his wealth steady through smart, conservative financial choices.

Activities After Baseball

Ross Grimsley has mostly kept to himself since he retired from professional baseball in 1982.

You won’t find much about his post-retirement life in public records.

Unlike a lot of former players, Grimsley didn’t jump into broadcasting, coaching, or front office jobs.

It’s kind of surprising, honestly, since so many ex-players stay in the game somehow.

Looks like he decided to go his own way and avoid the spotlight.

You won’t see him launching major businesses or popping up at celebrity events either.

Notable Absence from Public Life:

• No broadcasting career
• No coaching positions
• Limited media appearances
• No known business ventures

He keeps his relationship status private, and there haven’t been any reports of him dating lately.

The former Reds and Orioles pitcher seems to value his privacy, and he’s managed to keep it for decades after leaving baseball.