Major League Baseball Player, Author. Born Grant Lester Dunlap, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cincinnati Reds in 1941 and used his bonus money of $870.00 to pay for an operation his mother needed. While attending Occidental College in California, he excelled at basketball and baseball, as he earned All-Conference in both sports. Following service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II, he began his Minor League career and in 1952, he led the Texas League with a .333 batting average. He marked his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on April 21, 1953 and is among the rare class of players who recorded a home run as their first big league hit. He compiled a .353 batting average almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter. Dunlap used his experiences as a player to pen the novel "Kill the Umpire" (1998). After retiring from baseball, he became a professor of Physical Education and Athletic Director at Occidental College.
Major League Baseball Player, Author. Born Grant Lester Dunlap, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cincinnati Reds in 1941 and used his bonus money of $870.00 to pay for an operation his mother needed. While attending Occidental College in California, he excelled at basketball and baseball, as he earned All-Conference in both sports. Following service with the United States Marine Corps during World War II, he began his Minor League career and in 1952, he led the Texas League with a .333 batting average. He marked his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on April 21, 1953 and is among the rare class of players who recorded a home run as their first big league hit. He compiled a .353 batting average almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter. Dunlap used his experiences as a player to pen the novel "Kill the Umpire" (1998). After retiring from baseball, he became a professor of Physical Education and Athletic Director at Occidental College.
Bio by: C.S.
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