Wayne Granger

Teammates said that 6’2″ 165-lb Wayne Granger could “shower in a shotgun barrel.” As a rookie Cardinals reliever in 1968, the sinkerballer recorded a 2.25 ERA. Swapped to the Reds with Bobby Tolan for Vada Pinson, in 1969 he went 9-6 (2.79) with 27 saves in a then-NL-record 90 appearances, winning his first of two straight Fireman of the Year awards. His 35 saves in 1970 set a since-broken NL mark. After yielding a grand slam to Orioles pitcher Dave McNally in Game Three of the ’70 WS, Granger was never again as effective, though his 70 appearances in 1971 were again the NL high. He saved 19 games in 1972 for the Twins before arm trouble curtailed his effectiveness. He retired with 108 saves.