Pete Gray, 75 Years -- April 17, 2020

Brief Magazine, 10-April-1945

75 years ago today, on 17-April-1945, outfielder Pete Gray made his big league debut with the Saint Louis Browns.  He lost his right arm to an accident when he was a child.  He taught himself to play baseball with one arm. The Army rejected him when he volunteered after Pearl Harbor.  In 1945, the Saint Louis Browns, facing the shortage of able-bodied players, bought his contract.  He didn't have much power at bat and took too long to throw runners out, but he was a good example for injured soldiers.