On behalf of the Groat family, the Pittsburgh Pirates today confirmed the passing of former Pirates great Dick Groat early this morning at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Groat was 92 years old.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a beloved member of the Pirates family and Pittsburgh community,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “The National League MVP and World Series Champion in 1960, Dick remained a very active and cherished member of our Alumni Association. We were honored to have just recently informed Dick and his family that he had been selected to the Pirates Hall of Fame. He was a great player and an even better person. Our thoughts go out to his three daughters, eleven grandchildren and the entire Groat family. His was a life well lived. He will be missed.”
A native of Swissvale, Groat was the National League MVP in 1960 as he led the league with a .325 batting average while playing for the World Champion Pirates. A smooth-fielding shortstop, he led the N.L. in double plays a record five times while teaming with second baseman Bill Mazeroski.
A two-sport star, Groat was the first man ever inducted into both the college basketball and college baseball halls of fame while playing at Duke. He is also one of only 13 athletes who played in both the NBA and MLB.
In addition to his work with the Pirates, Groat was a longtime broadcaster (40 years) for the University of Pittsburgh basketball team. Along with Bob Friend, Elroy Face and Kent Tekulve, Groat was elected to the Pirates Hall of Fame last Thursday (April 20).
Groat is survived by his daughters Tracey, Carol Ann and Allison, along with 11 grandchildren.