30 Facts About Steve Gromek

Stephen Joseph Gromek was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the American League with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers.

Steve Gromek played sparingly his first three years before becoming an everyday starter in 1944 and 1945, earning his lone All-Star appearance in the latter year.

Steve Gromek was the winning pitcher in game four of the 1948 World Series with the Cleveland Indians.

Steve Gromek's career is best remembered for a post game celebratory photo taken of him hugging Larry Doby, the first black player in the American League, whose third inning home run provided the margin of victory.

Steve Gromek remained in the spot starter role with the Indians until 1953, when he was traded to the Tigers.

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Steve Gromek played two more full seasons with the Tigers, and retired during the 1957 season.

Steve Gromek then became a player-manager for the Erie Sailors for one year, became a car insurance sales representative after his retirement, and died in 2002.

Shortly after graduating, Steve Gromek signed with the Cleveland Indians as an infielder after being discovered by Indians scout Bill Bradley.

Steve Gromek moved over to shortstop in 1940 with the Michigan State League's Flint Gems.

Steve Gromek's ability to throw strikes to the plate on throws from the outfield inspired manager Jack Knight, who was a former pitcher, to try him on the mound.

Steve Gromek lost his major league debut to the Washington Senators, and earned his first major league win in his only other start of the season against the Philadelphia Athletics.

Steve Gromek struck out Al Evans to end the inning without further damage, and earned the win in extra innings, but walked three consecutive batters in the seventh, the third of which forced in a run.

Steve Gromek started the season by pitching in the home opener against Detroit.

Steve Gromek remained on the Indians for the 1947 season as a result, but was moved to the bullpen instead of remaining in the starting rotation.

Steve Gromek entered the 1948 season fighting for a spot on the pitching staff after spending the offseason recovering from a knee injury, which had bothered the season prior, and while he did make the roster, he remained solely a relief pitcher to start the season.

Steve Gromek finished the season with four wins, six losses, and a 3.

In voicing his objection, Steve Gromek offered that he would welcome being dealt to his hometown Detroit Tigers.

The Indians had a new manager, Al Lopez, entering the 1951 season, and as a result Steve Gromek signed a new contract immediately, feeling that Lopez would utilize him as more than a spot starter and that he would be treated more fairly than he had under Boudreau.

Steve Gromek finished the year with seven wins, four losses, and a 2.

Steve Gromek remained in his spot starter role for the 1952 season.

Steve Gromek struggled in spring training, but he was not considered in danger of losing his role to a rookie, as Lopez felt that he knew what Gromek could and could not do on the mound.

Steve Gromek's confidence paid off, as Gromek shut out Philadelphia in his next appearance, allowing four hits and cementing his role in the starting rotation for the rest of the season.

Steve Gromek led the Tigers in wins, losses, ERA, and innings pitched, and his ERA and innings pitched were both ranked fifth in the AL.

Steve Gromek charged the mound, causing both dugouts and bullpens to empty.

Steve Gromek entered the 1955 season as an everyday starting pitcher, though he was not the opening day starter that year.

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Steve Gromek finished the season with 13 wins and 10 losses and a 3.

Steve Gromek was pulled in the third inning in his first start of 1957 and spent the rest of his tenure with the Tigers as a short-term reliever; in a May 2 game against the Red Sox, he was brought in solely to face one batter, Jackie Jensen.

Steve Gromek was immediately hired by the Tigers after his playing career ended to manage the Erie Sailors of the New York–Penn League.

In 1981, Steve Gromek became a member of the National Polish-American Hall of Fame.

Steve Gromek died on March 12,2002, of complications from diabetes, a stroke and pneumonia.