Greg Gross
Gregory Eugene Gross (born August 1, 1952), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1973–1989, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was formerly the hitting coach of the Philadelphia Phillies, being dismissed on October 3, 2012. He is now a coach for the Reno Aces, the Class AAA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gross was best known for his clutch pinch-hits as a Phillie, and holds the Phillies career record in pinch hits with 117. He also ranks fifth on Major League Baseball's all-time list in career pinch hits with 143.
Early life and education
Born in York, Pennsylvania, Gross graduated from Red Land High School in Lewisberry.
Beginnings of his professional baseball career
On June 4, 1970, Gross was selected by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the free agent draft. He led the league in hits in 1970 while playing for Covington in the Appalachian League, batting .351. He also tied for the league lead in double plays by outfielders. In 1971, Gross was promoted to the Columbus Astros of the Southern League, where he played outfield and first base. In 1972, Gross played most of the season at Columbus, and was promoted later on in the season to the Oklahoma City 89ers, which was the Astros' AAA farm club. In 1973, Gross started the season with the Denver Bears, which by that point had become the Astros' new AAA farm club.
