Jerry Grote, Legendary Mets Catcher and Two-Time All-Star, Dies at 81
Jerry Grote, the stalwart catcher who anchored the New York Mets during their transformative years, passed away on April 7, 2024, at the age of 81. He died of respiratory failure during a heart procedure at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, Texas. (CBS News)
Born on October 6, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, Gerald Wayne Grote began his Major League Baseball career with the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. After two seasons, he was traded to the Mets in 1965, where he became the team’s primary catcher from 1966 to 1977. Grote was instrumental in the Mets’ remarkable turnaround, culminating in their 1969 World Series victory. He caught every inning of the postseason that year, guiding a young pitching staff that included Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. (AP News, CBSSports.com)
Known for his exceptional defensive skills, Grote was a two-time All-Star, earning selections in 1968 and 1974. His career statistics include a .252 batting average, 39 home runs, and 404 RBIs over 16 seasons. Beyond the numbers, his leadership and game-calling prowess earned him high praise from teammates and opponents alike. Hall of Famer Johnny Bench once remarked that if Grote had been on his team, he would have played third base. (ESPN.com, MLB.com)
After his tenure with the Mets, Grote had stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals, briefly coming out of retirement in 1981. Post-retirement, he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1992, as well as the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame and the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. (The Washington Post, CBSSports.com)
Grote is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his son, Jeff; daughters Jennifer Jackson and Sandy Deloney; and step-daughter Laurel Leudecke. (AP News)
In a statement, Mets owner Steve Cohen and his wife, Alex, said, “Jerry Grote was the backbone of a young Mets team who captured the heart of New York City in 1969. Known as the best defensive catcher in franchise history, he was a two-time All-Star who played 12 seasons in Flushing.” (MLB.com)
Grote’s legacy as a defensive maestro and team leader remains etched in baseball history, particularly for his pivotal role in the Mets’ 1969 “Miracle” season.(CBSSports.com)