February 5

1954 Wilson Franks #7 - Johnny Groth

On this day in 1954, Johnny Groth was traded from the newly moved Baltimore Orioles to the city of his birth, Chicago.

Johnny played in the last Browns game at Busch Stadium on September 27, 1953. He struck out to lead off the top of the eleventh against Chicago White Sox pitcher Billy Pierce, who ended up pitching the entire game. Pierce's only blemish was a double to Groth in the third inning, who ended up scoring on an Ed Mickelson single to right field. It would be the Browns last lead in St. Louis. The White Sox eventually won the game in the eleventh inning and the Browns prepared for their move to Baltimore for the 1954 season.

Groth batted a respectable .285 for the White Sox in 157 games, spread out between 1954 and the first half of 1955. Johnny was traded to the Washington Senators on June 9, 1955, along with Bob Chakales and Clint Courtney for Jim Busby, effectively ended his career with his hometown team.



White Sox February 5th birthdays:

1891 - Roger Peckinpaugh
1929 - Al Worthington
1968 - Roberto Alomar