The Pittsburgh Pirates have been playing some good baseball this season.
Entering the day, they lead the NL Central by a game over the Milwaukee Brewers and are tied with the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the National League Central.
However, the Pirates organization learned some sad news on Thursday morning.
Franchise legend Dick Groat, who was key piece of the puzzle during their run to a World Series title in 1960, passed away at the age of 92.
Groat is also in the Pirates Hall of Fame.
On Twitter, the Pirates confirmed the news of Groat’s passing and extended their well wishes to his friends and family.
We are saddened to confirm the passing of former Pirates great Dick Groat.
Dick was a member of our World Series Championship team in 1960 and our Hall of Fame.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Groat family. pic.twitter.com/fuzosEGJBG
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 27, 2023
Groat made his MLB debut in 1952.
His career was interrupted a year later when he chose to serve in the military.
The legendary shortstop resumed his career in 1955 and remained with the Pirates through the 1962 season.
During the 1960 season, he hit for a career-high .325 average.
Groat played out the remainder of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants.
He won another World Series title with St. Louis in 1964.
Groat was never known for his power, having hit only 39 home runs during his career, but he was a consistent hitter at the plate.
He also won an MVP Award and a batting title and earned eight All-Star nods.
For his career, Groat had a batting average of .286, drove in 707 runs, had a WAR of 36.8, an on-base percentage of .330, and a total of 2,138 hits.
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