Jerry Grote

Gerald Wayne Grote (October 6, 1942 – April 7, 2024) was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1963 through 1981. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, he attended Douglas MacArthur High School, where he played as a pitcher, catcher, and third baseman, throwing a no-hitter as a high school pitcher.

Grote broke into the majors with the Houston Colt .45s, playing for the club from 1963 to 1964. He joined the New York Mets in 1966 and remained with the team through 1977, his longest tenure with any club. With the Mets he was a two-time All-Star and a member of the squad that became known as the Miracle Mets, upsetting the Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series. Regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era, he finished out his playing days with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977 and 1978, and split his final 1981 season between the Kansas City Royals and the Dodgers.

Grote was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1992. He died on April 7, 2024, at the age of 81.