Black pioneer Grant dies at 85
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 right-hander’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 AL 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 career-best 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 Dodgers and won twice — including a 5-1, completegame victory in Game 6, during which he also hit a threerun homer.
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 pitched for Montreal, St. Louis, Oakland and Pittsburgh.
Grant was long known by his unique nickname, though there are varying stories about its origination.
The native of Lacoochee, Fla, where he grew up poor in a small, segregated town north of Tampa, signed with Cleveland at age 18 and made his major league debut for the Indians in 1958. He finished his 14-year career with a 145-119 record and a 3.63 ERA over 571 appearances, including 293 starts.
Mets’ deGrom won’t miss scheduled 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 Cubs on Wednesday.
A precautionary MRI showed no problem, Rojas said.
Etc.
New York Yankees righthander Luis Severino was removed from a minor league rehab start with what appeared to be a painful injury to his right leg. Severino was making his second rehab start following Tommy John surgery in February of 2020, pitching for High A Hudson Valley against Brooklyn . ... The Washington Nationals placed righthanded reliever Daniel Hudson on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation