[Terry D]

Jerry Grote is well known as the catcher for the Mets in their championship seasons of 1969 and 1973. Grote was never much of a hitter but as a young receiver he caught Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Tug McGraw, Jerry Koosman, and Jon Matlack, among others, and the Mets pitchers gave him a lot of credit for their success. After leaving the Mets Grote served as a backup for the Lasorda Dodgers in 1977 and 1978, which gave him an opportunity to play in two more worlds series. After a brief retirement Grote returned to the big leagues with the 1981 Kansas City Royals. Grote hit .304 for KC, but for some insane reason Jim Frey released him. Grote hooked on with LA for the closing weeks of the season. He only got a couple of pinch-hit at bats and he didn't make the postseason roster, but he did finish his career with a second worlds' series championship ring. Here is a Fritsch postcard shot of Jerry as a 1981 Dodger.