The loss of the brother of ML pitcher Marv Grissom might have cost the 1938 Reds a pennant. He had won 12 in 1937 and was counted on to contribute again, but early in ’38 he tried to steal a base, broke his ankle, and was out for the season. When Grissom returned in 1939 to win nine, Cincinnati won the pennant by 4-1/2 games.
