The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes another pitcher to its glittering mound staff with the election of Dick Grant from Saco.
Dick, who always wanted to be a big league baseball player after his introduction to the National Pastime at Burns Junior High, really blossomed at Thornton Academy. He was an All Telegram League choice in both 1953 and 1954. As a junior in 53, he tossed two sparkling one-hitters. He also lost a 16-inning duel to Portland’s Willie Greenlaw (HoF ‘ 84).
As a senior in ‘54, Grant led the Thornton Maroon to the Telegram League Championship. He compiled a 5-1 record and led the circuit with 103 strikeouts while walking only 14!!! It was no surprise when he was unanimous all-league selection.
Veteran sports editor, Blaine Davis, wrote that Dick attracted the most scouts in 10 years. It was rumored that he received offers from 8 Major League teams that were very impressed by his motion.
After graduation, Dick signed with the Chicago White Sox and made his debut with Edmundston in the Maine-New Brunswick League. He pitched a no-hitter in this league and he also pitched a no-hitter in his Twilight League debut. As a 19-year old, he made the league’s all-star team. The 6 1801b.
right-hander, reputed to possess good speed and a sharp curve, began a steady climb in the White Sox chain.
in 1955 he pitched at Madisonville, Kentucky, where he won his opener, and at Dubuque, lowa. At Dubuque he was 14-7.
1956 was spent at Waterloo, lowa, a Class B league, where he finished at 12-6. At Waterloo he was a team mate of future American League batting champ, Norm Cash. In 1957 Grant moved to Davenport, lowa where he was a workhorse with a 13-8 record. 1958 saw Dick toiling for Colorado Springs, a Class A club that won its league title.
1959 and 1960 were spent with Charleston, S.C., another Class A assignment. In the spring of 4960 he was invited to the Major league camp. In 1961, Dick was enjoying a good season as the top relief pitcher with the Colorado Spring Sky-Sox in the Class A Western League. He went 8-8 with a 3.91 ERA. At this time he was labeled a “good prospect to make the big leagues”. However, pulled tendons and muscles in his shoulder curtailed his season and he was eventually released.
Dick received a ringing endorsement in his nomination by former Sanford coach, John Cochin.
From Minor League Stats
Richard Grant compiled a career record of 61 wins and 47 losses in his 223-game pitching career with the Dubuque Packers, Madisonville Miners, Waterloo White Hawks, Davenport DavSox, Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Charleston ChaSox and Charleston White Sox. He began playing during the 1955 season and last took the field during the 1961 campaign.
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