Grant, first Black 20-game winner in AL, dies
Jim “Mudcat” Grant, the first Black 20-game winner in the American League and a key part of Minnesota’s first World Series team in 1965, has died. He was 85.
The Twins announced Grant’s death Saturday. No cause was given. Grant’s personal assistant, on behalf of the former righthander’s family, informed the Twins of the death.
Grant spent less than four full seasons of his 14year major league career with the Twins, but they were by far his best.
After being acquired in a trade with Cleveland on June 15, 1964, for George Banks and Lee Stange, Grant led the American League with 21 wins in 1965 — Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers was the first Black 20-game winner in the majors in 1951.
Grant’s big season helped the Twins post a 102-60 record for a spot in the World
Series. He also led the league with six shutouts in 1965.
He started three times in that World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and won twice — including a 5-1, complete-game victory in Game 6, during which he also hit a three-run homer. Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers won Game 7.
Grant went 50-35 with a 3.35 ERA in 129 appearances, including 111 starts, with the Twins. He was traded to the Dodgers after the 1967 season and also wound up pitching for Montreal, St. Louis, Oakland and Pittsburgh.
Grant was long known by his unique nickname, though there are varying stories on how it originated.
“Will never forget his smile, his voice or the way he could light up a room,” Twins president Dave St. Peter said on Twitter. DEGROM EXPECTED TO MAKE NEXT START » Two-time National League Cy Young
Award winner Jacob deGrom is expected to make his next scheduled start for the New York Mets despite having to leave his most recent outing because of an elbow ailment.
DeGrom played catch and threw a bullpen session Saturday afternoon, a day after he exited after six scoreless innings against San Diego because of right flexor tendinitis.
Manager Luis Rojas said his ace should be ready to face the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
A precautionary MRI showed no problem, Rojas said.
The elbow began to tighten up in the sixth inning Friday, said deGrom, who extended his streak of scoreless innings to 22.
DeGrom’s 0.56 ERA is the lowest ever by a pitcher through 10 starts, just ahead of Juan Marichal’s 0.59 in 1966.
YANKEES’ SEVERINO INJURED IN REHAB START »
Yankees right-hander Luis Severino was removed from a minor league rehab start Saturday a right groin injury and will get an MRI. Severino was making his second rehab start following Tommy John surgery in February of 2020, pitching for High-A Hudson Valley against Brooklyn. BREWERS GET STRICKLAND » Reliever Hunter Strickland has been acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers announced they have acquired Strickland from the Angels for cash. This marks the second time this season that the 32-year-old right-hander has changed teams. The Angels purchased Strickland from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 15 before designating him for assignment Monday.
Strickland had a 1.69 ERA in 13 appearances for Tampa Bay but posted a 9.95 ERA in nine games with the Angels. He didn’t have a decision for either team.