Dick Groat

Richard Morrow Groat (November 4, 1930 – April 27, 2023) was an American professional baseball and basketball player who spent fourteen seasons as a shortstop in Major League Baseball. He ranks among the most accomplished two-sport athletes in American sports history, having been a college All-America in both baseball and basketball and one of only thirteen men to play both at the professional level.

Groat attended Duke University, where he was a two-time All-American, a two-time winner of the McKelvin Award as the Southern Conference athlete of the year, and the first basketball player to have his number (10) retired. In Major League Baseball he was an eight-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion. In 1960 he won the National League batting title with a .325 average, was named the league's Most Valuable Player, and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship.

From 1956 to 1962, Groat paired with future Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski to form one of the most efficient keystone combinations in the game. He finished his career with a .286 batting average and 2,138 hits across four teams. He ranked ninth in major league history in games played at shortstop (1,877) and fourth in double plays.