Legendary Pitt Broadcaster Dick Groat Passes at 92
PITTSBURGH -- He was as Pittsburgh as it gets - a native of Wilkinsburg, a fantastic baseball player for the Pirates and a legendary broadcaster of Pitt Panthers basketball for 40 years. After 92 years of making his hometown proud on the court, field and mic, Dick Groat has died at the age of 92.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the news, calling him "a Pittsburgh legend, incredible Pirate, Pitt Star, and Duke hooper."
Groat ended his athletic career as one of the most accomplished two-sport athletes in American history. He was a college All-American in both baseball and basketball at his alma mater, Duke, before he was picked with the No. 3 overall selection by the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1952.
His career in basketball - the sport he truly loved the most - was interrupted by his decision to join the United States Army. Upon his discharge two years later, Groat decided to exchange his sneakers for cleats, a glove and a bat because there was more money in baseball. He was also warned of the health risks a two-sport career poses.
Groat played 15 seasons with the Pirates, Cardinals, Phillies and Giants. He was an eight-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion. He won the 1960 MVP and helped bring a world title to Pittsburgh in the same year.
He shared the sideline with Bill Hillgrove for four decades calling Pitt basketball games at the Fitzgerald Field House and Petersen Events Center before retiring in 2019.
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