Hal Gregg

Who was Hal Gregg?

Harold Dana Gregg was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants. Gregg batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Anaheim, California.

In a nine-season career, Gregg posted a 40–48 record with 401 strikeouts and a 4.54 ERA in 827.0 innings pitched.

In 1947 Gregg became an unlikely World Series figure. He had pitched very well in relief for Brooklyn, especially in the 4th game when Bill Bevens was hurling his 8⅔ innings of no-hit ball only to lose in the 9th. Gregg relieved the starter in the 1st, got out of the jam with no runs, and pitched 7 strong innings holding the Yankees to 2 runs, working out of some more tough jams and keeping Brooklyn in the game. Since Brooklyn's manager had completely mishandled the pitching staff, continually using starters in relief, there was only Gregg ready to start game 7; Gregg thus joining some of the few but greatest pitchers in history who have started a World Series 7th game. Gregg, on two days rest, didn't pitch badly but still lost, giving up 3 runs in 4 innings. He threw 12 innings in the series with 10 strikeouts including DiMaggio, who seldom struck out.