Bobby Grich
A six-time All-Star second baseman who led the AL in home runs in 1981 and anchored the Angels' defense for a decade.
Robert Anthony Grich is an American former professional baseball player who played second base for the Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels. Born on January 15, 1949, he spent his prime years in Anaheim from 1977 to 1986 after a successful stint with the Orioles. A six-time All-Star, Grich was renowned for his defensive prowess, winning four consecutive Gold Glove Awards between 1973 and 1976. In 1981, he led the American League in home runs and slugging average while batting a career-high .304. His legacy with the Angels includes leading them to their first-ever postseason appearance as champions of the American League West in 1979.
- position
- Second Baseman
- bats
- Right
- throws
- Right
- hall_of_fame_status
- Angels Hall of Fame (Inducted 1988), Orioles Hall of Fame (Inducted 1998)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Grich's path to Anaheim began after he became a free agent following the 1976 season. Although the Orioles offered $1.2 million and the New York Yankees offered $2.2 million, Grich accepted a $1.5 million offer from the Angels to play closer to home in California. The move required adjustments; the Angels initially planned to shift him to shortstop because they had Jerry Remy at second base. However, a herniated disk suffered while moving an air-conditioning unit during the 1977 season limited him to just 52 games. After the team traded Remy for Don Aase, Grich returned to his natural position of second base in 1978. His leadership and power were pivotal in 1979 when the Angels won their first division title. The celebration was so spirited that when former President Richard Nixon visited the clubhouse, Grich dumped a can of beer over his head.
In Their Own Story
The culmination of Grich's tenure came during the dramatic 1986 American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox. The Angels held a commanding 3-1 series lead and needed just one win to advance to the World Series. In Game 5, Grich hit a home run that deflected off center fielder Dave Henderson's glove, giving the Angels a 3-2 lead. However, with the Red Sox down to their final strike in the ninth inning, Henderson hit a home run to take the lead. The Red Sox won in extra innings and completed the comeback by taking the next two games at Fenway Park to win the pennant. Following this heartbreaking loss in Game 7, Grich announced his retirement at the age of 37, ending a career that saw him set all-time fielding records for second basemen with a .995 percentage in 1973 and a .997 record in 1985.
Reader's Guide
Fans should note Grich's unique achievements as a power-hitting second baseman. In 1981, he became the first player to lead the American League in home runs since Nap Lajoie in 1901 and the first in either league since Rogers Hornsby in 1929. He also hit three consecutive home runs in a single game in 1974 and set an AL record for second basemen with 484 putouts in the 1974 season. Defensively, he learned positioning from teammate Brooks Robinson, specifically keeping his feet close together to get a better jump on batted balls. His career totals include 224 home runs, 320 doubles, and an impressive .371 on-base percentage over 17 seasons. In recognition of his contributions, he was the first player inducted into the California Angels Hall of Fame in 1988 (though some sources list 1996 in the highlights section, the narrative states 1988), followed by induction into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame in 1998.
Did You Know?
- Grich was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round (19th overall) of the 1967 MLB draft.
- In 1981, he tied for the league lead with 22 home runs alongside Tony Armas, Dwight Evans, and Eddie Murray.
- He hit a career-high .304 in 1981 while leading the American League in slugging average (.543).
- Grich credited Orioles hitting instructor Jim Frey for helping him improve his swing.
- During military service or promotions that kept him away, his minor league team, the Rochester Red Wings, went 1-11 without him.