Steve Gromek

Stephen Joseph Gromek (1920–2002) was a right-handed pitcher who spent 17 seasons in the American League with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan, he began as an infielder in the Cleveland organization before converting to pitching and making his major league debut in 1941. He earned his only All-Star selection in 1945. Across 447 career games, Gromek posted a 123–108 record with a 3.41 ERA and 17 shutouts in 2,064⅔ innings. He is best remembered as the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the 1948 World Series, a victory secured by Larry Doby's home run — and the celebratory photo of the two men embracing that became a symbol of baseball integration.