Johnny Grubb---1975
He was an All-Star?
Johnny Grubb put together a fine
major league career, one that lasted
16 seasons and included 1,153 hits
and 553 runs scored in 1,424 games.
He garnered a reputation as a sweet-
swinging left-handed hitter who could
be counted on for consistency out of
the DH spot and as an extra
outfielder, particularly during the
latter half of his days in the big
leagues.
Yet before nine stints on the disabled
list and the removal of a rib to correct
a circulatory problem limited his
ability to perform adequately on a
daily basis, Grubb was a solid
contributor during the fledgling days
of the Padres’ franchise. He burst
onto the major league scene in 1973
as a NL Rookie of the Year candidate
by batting at a .311 clip, which for
years represented the highest single-
season norm for a Padre rookie or
lefty swinger.
His performance during his first two
seasons, combined with his showing
during the first half of the 1975 slate,
led to Grubb becoming the lone
Padre representative in the 1975 All-
Star Game. Grubb registered a .323
batting average during the first half
of the campaign, which contributed to
his only selection to the mid-season
event. He appeared in the game as a
pinch-hitter and popped out prior to
concluding the campaign with a .
286 norm in 140 contests.
One other interesting note regarding
Grubb centers on his picture-perfect
swing. He was a natural right-handed
hitter who taught himself how to
swing from both sides of the plate
while emulating his hero, Mickey
Mantle. He wound up hitting so much
better from the southpaw side that he
decided to take his hacks only as a
lefty at the major league level. That
decision paid handsome dividends,
including a game-winning double in
the 11th inning of Game 2 in the
1984 American League
Championship Series.
And yes, Johnny Grubb was an All-
Star.
Johnny Grubb put together a fine
major league career, one that lasted
16 seasons and included 1,153 hits
and 553 runs scored in 1,424 games.
He garnered a reputation as a sweet-
swinging left-handed hitter who could
be counted on for consistency out of
the DH spot and as an extra
outfielder, particularly during the
latter half of his days in the big
leagues.
Yet before nine stints on the disabled
list and the removal of a rib to correct
a circulatory problem limited his
ability to perform adequately on a
daily basis, Grubb was a solid
contributor during the fledgling days
of the Padres’ franchise. He burst
onto the major league scene in 1973
as a NL Rookie of the Year candidate
by batting at a .311 clip, which for
years represented the highest single-
season norm for a Padre rookie or
lefty swinger.
His performance during his first two
seasons, combined with his showing
during the first half of the 1975 slate,
led to Grubb becoming the lone
Padre representative in the 1975 All-
Star Game. Grubb registered a .323
batting average during the first half
of the campaign, which contributed to
his only selection to the mid-season
event. He appeared in the game as a
pinch-hitter and popped out prior to
concluding the campaign with a .
286 norm in 140 contests.
One other interesting note regarding
Grubb centers on his picture-perfect
swing. He was a natural right-handed
hitter who taught himself how to
swing from both sides of the plate
while emulating his hero, Mickey
Mantle. He wound up hitting so much
better from the southpaw side that he
decided to take his hacks only as a
lefty at the major league level. That
decision paid handsome dividends,
including a game-winning double in
the 11th inning of Game 2 in the
1984 American League
Championship Series.
And yes, Johnny Grubb was an All-
Star.
