After driving in 160 runs for Tacoma (Western League) in 1922, Grantham became the Cubs’ starting second baseman. He struck out more than any NL player in 1923 and 1924, but was the run producer Pittsburgh needed. In a major postseason deal in 1924, the Bucs sent Rabbit Maranville, Charlie Grimm, and Wilbur Cooper to the Cubs for Grantham, Vic Aldridge, and Al Niehaus. Some Pittsburgh fans criticized trading three popular players for an erratic fielder (Grantham) and two unknowns, but the trade paid off for the Pirates. Grantham, switched from second base to first base, batted a career-high .326 and dramatically reduced his strikeouts in 1925. Pittsburgh won the World Series, and the Cubs finished last. Grantham batted over .300 in each of his seven seasons with Pittsburgh, splitting time between first base and second base.
