English
Español
Reds Hall of Fame pitcher Wayne Granger, who posted a 2.92 ERA in 227 relief appearances for Cincinnati from 1969 to 1971, died Feb. 25. He was 81.
Granger became the first pitcher to appear in 90 games in a single season when he did so for the Reds in 1969.
Granger spent most of his nine-season MLB career with the Reds. He also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Montreal Expos.
In Oct. 1968, Granger was traded by the Cardinals with Bobby Tolan to the Reds for Vada Pinson.
Granger recorded 27 saves while making 90 appearances in 1969. He led the National League with 35 saves in 1970, and finished eighth in NL Cy Young award voting.
Granger was the winning pitcher and threw the final pitch in the last game played at Crosley Field, the Reds' home ballpark from 1912 to 1970.
Granger earned a win in relief for the Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1970 National League Championship Series.
In Game 3 of the 1970 World Series, Granger gave up a grand slam to Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dave McNally in the 6th inning.
In 1971, Granger led the NL in appearances with 70.
In Dec. 1971, Granger was traded by the Reds to the Twins for Tom Hall.
Granger was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1982. He appeared at Redsfest many times in recent years.
Tributes via Twitter/X from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, as well as the Reds Hall of Fame:
The Hall of Fame remembers Wayne Granger, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 81.
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) February 28, 2026
A reliever for the Cardinals, Reds, Twins, Yankees, White Sox, Astros and Expos, Granger became the first pitcher to appear in 90 games during a single season when he did so in 1969. pic.twitter.com/2UFXJk4VTw
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Reds Hall of Famer Wayne Granger, who died peacefully on February 25. We’ll remember Wayne not just for his Hall of Fame career but for his kindness and love for the Reds shown during his many appearances in Cincinnati at official… pic.twitter.com/SGRurUWqEl
— RedsMuseum (@RedsMuseum) February 27, 2026
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wayne Granger, former Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher, dies at 81