Johnny Groth

Who is Johnny Groth?

John Thomas Groth is a former professional baseball player. Johnny married Betty Stoll of Chicago Illinois. Together they had 11 children, nine girls and two boys. They have 30 grandchildren.

He played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1946 to 1960. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. He played for the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, and Kansas City Athletics.

Groth was signed by the Tigers in 1946 as an amateur free agent. He was lauded by the Tigers as "the next DiMaggio" when he arrived on the major league scene in 1946 at age 20.

Groth did not play in more than six games until 1949. In 1948, he hit .340 with 40 home runs for Buffalo in the International League. Time, Collier's, The Saturday Evening Post, and Life all tabbed him for superstardom in 1949.

In 1949, Groth hit .293 with a .407 on-base percentage, a .451 slugging percentage and 73 RBIs in only 103 games. In 1950, he hit .306 with career-highs in home runs, RBIs, hits, and runs scored. At one point during the 1950 season, he had eight consecutive hits.

On April 19, 1949, rookie Groth hit home runs in two of his first three at bats, helping Hal Newhouser to a 5–1 win.