Pirates Legend Dick Groat, 1960 National League MVP, Dies at 92

PITTSBURGH — Dick Groat, the National League MVP in 1960 during a season when the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series, has died. He was 92.

Groat spent the first nine of his 14 seasons in the major leagues with the Pirates from 1952-62. The Wilkinsburg native missed the 1953 and 1954 seasons because of military service.

Following his time with the Pirates, Groat went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants before retiring after the 1967 season. The shortstop played in eight All-Star Games.

Groat was just as well-known for his basketball exploits after starring at Swissvale High School. He was an All-America guard at Duke, played in the NBA and had a long stint as the color commentator on Pitt radio broadcasts.

Groat hit .286/.330/.366 in 1,929 games in the major leagues with 39 home runs. His most memorable season came in 1960 when he won the National League batting title with a .325 average then helped the Pirates upset the New York Yankees in the World Series.

The Pirates announced last week that Groat will be inducted into their Hall of Fame in August.

Groat died Thursday and the cause of death was not immediately available.