Grove was one of the first pitchers to come out of the White Sox farm system, established in 1939. Invited to camp in 1943 with a $1 contract, having missed most of 1942 following knee surgery, he made the club and was given his first start in June. He then set a White Sox season record by winning his first nine decisions. On July 8, he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Yankees. With one out, Joe Gordon broke it up with a double to left that was fair by inches. Grove ended the year at 15-9, but proved a winner only during the war years.
