Baseball and basketball fans mourn the loss of Dick Groat

Renowned athlete and broadcaster Dick Groat passed away on November 23, 2021, leaving behind a legacy of excellence on both the baseball diamond and the basketball court. Fans of both sports are mourning the loss of one of the greatest athletes of all time, as well as a beloved broadcaster and commentator.

Groat was born on November 4, 1930, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended Duke University, where he played basketball and baseball. During his college career, Groat was a two-time All-American in basketball and a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in baseball.

After graduating from Duke, Groat was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1952. He made his major league debut in 1952 and quickly established himself as one of the game’s top shortstops. Groat played for the Pirates from 1952 to 1956 and was a two-time National League All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner during his time with the team.

In 1957, Groat was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played for seven seasons. He helped lead the Cardinals to the World Series in 1964, where they defeated the New York Yankees in seven games. Groat was named the Most Valuable Player of the series, hitting .310 with seven runs batted in.

Groat finished his playing career with the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies. He retired from baseball in 1967 with a career batting average of .286, 2,138 hits, and 829 runs batted in. He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

After retiring from baseball, Groat became a broadcaster and commentator for college basketball games. He was a fixture on CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament for over 20 years, and his voice became synonymous with March Madness for generations of fans.

In addition to his broadcasting work, Groat was active in numerous charitable organizations throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Pittsburgh Pirates Alumni Association, which supports youth baseball and softball programs in the Pittsburgh area. He was also a longtime supporter of the American Heart Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

News of Groat’s passing was met with an outpouring of grief and remembrance from fans, former teammates, and colleagues. Many took to social media to express their condolences and share memories of the legendary athlete.

Former Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who played with Groat during his college career, remembered him as a true competitor and a great friend. “He was an All-American on the court and off,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “He was a leader, a teammate, a champion, and a gentleman. We will miss him dearly.”

CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, who worked with Groat for many years, called him “the ultimate gentleman.” “He was a true professional and a dear friend,” Nantz said in a statement. “His voice and his spirit will be missed by all of us at CBS Sports.”

Groat’s family has not yet announced plans for a memorial or funeral service. In the meantime, fans are remembering the remarkable career and life of one of the greatest athletes of all time. Dick Groat will be missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of sports fans everywhere.