Date of Birth: August 18, 1893
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: December 6, 1985
Biography
Burleigh Grimes, born Burleigh Arland Grimes, was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 19 seasons from 1916 to 1934. Known for his competitive spirit and his mastery of the spitball, Grimes was one of the last pitchers legally permitted to throw the pitch after it was banned in 1920. His career spanned several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Robins, New York Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals. Grimes was renowned for his durability and tenacity on the mound, which earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. After retiring as a player, he continued his involvement in baseball as a coach and manager.
5 Interesting Facts about Burleigh Grimes
1. Burleigh Grimes was one of the 17 pitchers allowed to continue using the spitball after it was banned in 1920.
2. He won a World Series Championship with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1931.
3. Grimes had a career record of 270 wins and 212 losses with an ERA of 3.53.
4. He managed the Brooklyn Dodgers for a brief period in 1937 and 1938.
5. Grimes was known for his intense demeanor, often intimidating batters with his fierce competitiveness.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Burleigh Grimes
1. “I didn’t mind the work. It was the waiting I couldn’t stand.”
2. “Give me a pitcher who has the guts to throw inside.”
3. “I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain’t never been seen by this generation.”
4. “The secret to success as a pitcher is to keep the hitter off balance.”
5. “A pitcher needs two pitches—one they’re looking for and one to cross them up.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Burleigh Grimes’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, a substantial sum for his time.
Children
Burleigh Grimes had no known children.
Relevant Links
3. [Burleigh Grimes SABR Biography](https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/burleigh-grimes/
