AGE: 40.
FAMILY: Wife Mary. Children Andrew, Aidan, Alexis.
RESIDENCE: Alpine, Colo.
OCCUPATION: TV analyst for the San Diego Padres.
POSITION: Right-handed pitcher.
NICKNAME: Mud (by San Francisco Giants manager Danny Ozark afterJim "Mudcat" Grant).
HOBBY: Family functions.
BASEBALL BACKGROUND: The 10th player claimed in the 1981 draft (bythe San Francisco Giants), Grant starred at Joliet Catholic where hestruck out 20 of 21 Joliet West batters in his junior year. Hepitched 15 pro seasons, including eight in the majors for six teams.He was 22-32 with a 4.33 ERA in 233 appearances. His best season was8-2, 3.33 for the 1989 Padres. Grant twice led his minor league inwins and was 1982 Midwest League MVP, going 16-5, 2.36 with 243strikeouts for Clinton, Iowa.
GROWING UP: "My sisters, Lynn and Leslie, and I had a greatchildhood in Joliet. On summer nights, neighbors on Fairlane Drivebrought their lawn chairs over to sit with mom and dad, Sue andLarry, and watch their kids play games. It was pure America.Grandmother Rose is 100 and going strong."
PLAY BALL! "I could always throw hard. Dad taught me a lot when Iwas small. Little League was a lot of fun. I played for Phil'sRestaurant in Joliet with coaches Les Arling and Jim Menne. We hadtwo undefeated years. My coaches for Joliet Catholic were JackSchimanski and Dan McCartney. Great guys. We got deep into the statetournaments, but never won the championship. I would have had aperfect game against Springfield Griffin my senior year, but DickSchofield got a hit as the game's first batter. We both made themajors and are still good friends."
KING OF K'S: "Striking out 20 Joliet West guys was like a dreambecause they had a good team. The ball was jumping out of my hand. Istill ask my dad, 'Was I really throwing good that day?' and he says,'Mark, you have no idea.' "
THE DRAFT: "I was hoping to stay in Chicago, but the Cubs took JoeCarter second and the White Sox took Darryl Boston seventh. We hadabout 100 people at the house listening on the radio. Finally, weheard WGN sports director Ron Gleason announce the Giants had takenme. I used part of the $85,000 bonus to buy dad a car because he wasdriving a 1968 Volkswagen. I got a car for my older sister, too, andhelped the others with things they needed. Making them happy was agreat feeling."
THE DEBUT: "I was the youngest guy in the majors -- 20 years old,four months and a couple of days -- when I got called up in 1984.There were two bench-clearing brawls in Cincinnati. Ron Oester poppedup and started yelling at Scot Thompson. In our half, Joe Price hitme in the leg. I gave up four runs in six innings and lost."
ROLE CHANGE: "Going to San Diego in 1987 was the best thing tohappen because my wife was from there and going to the bullpen in1988 was the best career move. I set up [closer] Mark Davis in 1989when he won the Cy Young Award."
BEST MOMENT: "Tony Gwynn was in the batting race with Will Clarkthe last weekend of the 1989 season. I struck Clark out on a Saturdayand Tony went 4-for-5 on Sunday for the title. I felt so good aboutthat."
FUNNIEST MOMENT: "The old visitors locker room at Wrigley Fieldwas small with tiny lockers, but there was a big one around a cornerreserved for stars. It had the names of Mays, Stargell and Clementeover it, and Mark Grant. Tony Kuiper and Mike Krukow, two goodfriends who now are Giants broadcasters, had come in early to set meup."
ALMOST A CUB: "I sat out 1994 with surgery and went to 1995 springcamp with the Cubs while the strike was on. I had an understandingwith Jim Riggleman and Jim Hendry that I wouldn't play in replacementgames. I did real well at [Class AAA] Iowa and almost pitched aperfect game against Louisville, but Cubs pitchers were doing welland I didn't go up."
MEETING MARY: "Scottsdale, Ariz. in 1984 when I was out withfriends in spring training. I asked if we could exchange phonenumbers. I didn't want to be a total jerk by trying for a kiss, so Iextended my hand. She said later that won her over. It was meant tobe. She's smart and beautiful, and is a great mom to great kids."
LIFE TODAY: "I'm blessed. I played in the majors. I enjoy workingwith Rick Sutcliffe and Matt Vasgersian on games, and everyone in thefamily is healthy and happy."
No comments:
Post a Comment