Fred McGriff Remembers “Mom” on HOF Tour

Mrs. Eliza Delores McGriff

( HOF "Mom' - One of only 236 moms to raise a son to make the MLB HOF)

Sunrise: January 22, 1929 - Sunset: Oct 22, 2017

Mom and dad (Earl) were excited when Fred got an opportunity to play for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  There was a mere 36 miles from their home to Tropicana Field.  A  45 minute drive on good days.  And, of course there were few games that they missed.  Mom really enjoyed watching her baby son play.

The youngest of 5 children!

Yes,  Fred was the youngest in the family and was determined to show that he would make his mark and not be forgotten.   And to their surprise, Fred was born on Halloween and he turned out to be quite a treat. The premature last kid born became famous in the sport of baseball.  Amazing!

Countless days and time spent at practices and games were all a sacrifice and not given a second thought because Fred so enjoyed baseball. Fred really worked hard to hone his skills.  He would take a stick and rock and just swing and hit it for endless hours.  There were laughs had by the boys in the neighborhood (Lincoln Gardens) who watched Fred. 

Mom was one of Fred's biggest cheerleaders. She beamed with pride when talking about Fred through the years as he accomplished so many memorable baseball moments.  The sweet spot hits were her favorite!  Mom enjoyed  conversation.  You would occasionally hear her say “I'll Suwannee”.  We never knew what it meant.  It was a phrase that was uniquely hers. It was one of our endearing and cherished memories of Mom. 

Mom and dad allowed me to pursue baseball instead of a college education. Fred was first drafted by the NY Yankees after my senior year. Mom was an educator.  A teacher by trade.  And, she definitely stressed the importance of an education. This decision became a game changer for me.  Fred was so grateful and thankful to get this opportunity. 

The “Quiet Assassin”- The “Crime Dog”

Fred, a Tampa native and original Devil Ray will be inducted in the MLB Hall of Fame on July 23, 2023.

“When you first start playing ball, you just want to make the team.  Then, as you progress, learn the game, gain skills and work harder, you become better at it.  Toughing it out as you are struggling, you soon discover that you're good at it.  And suddenly, it seems you have become really good at it.  Confidence soars and your goal is to one day realize your dream as a kid of becoming one of the greatest players that have played the game,” said Fred.

Fred considers it a tremendous honor and privilege to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame.

As many major league baseball players will tell you, it is never an easy road making it to the top.  They remember minor league life, the bus rides from one minor league park to another.  The food (cold sandwiches and fast food meals)  waiting for that call from the big leagues.  One thing they all know - during all the highs and lows during the journey, - mom is always going to be there.  And, there is nothing like a home-cooked meal from mom.

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Fred will always remember his first tour of Baseball's Hall of Fame.  In all his wildest dreams, he never thought he would enter MLB's Hall of Fame. An injury cut short his major league career, and if it weren't for the work stoppage  in 1994-1995, Fred would have easily been in the 500-home run club.  He ended up with 493 - home runs.  Fred figured his enshrinement in the MLB Hall of Fame would never come.  At best Fred was a longshot to enter the Hall of Fame not reaching the coveted 500 home run mark.  You got to wonder, did “mom” reach out to the committee from high above?
 

Learn more about Fred's first visit to Cooperstown - click here!

Fred's Career at a Glance.

Fred was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1981, a 19-year career that earned him the nickname “Crime Dog,” and was the only player elected by the Hall of Fame committee.  A special committee unanimously elected Fred to the Baseball Hall of Fame while rejecting seven other nominees, some of whom are tied to baseball's steroids era.

Fred, 59, played his 19 MLB seasons from 1986-2004 with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers.

 He's best known for his stint with the Atlanta Braves, where he made three of his five All-Star teams and won a World Series in 1995. 

Fred played first base for the Braves from 1993-97, a five-year span that saw the Braves win four division titles and two NL pennants. The 1994 playoffs were canceled amid a player strike.

Fred ended his career hitting .284/.377/.509 with 493 home runs, 1,550 RBI and 72 steals.  He was a two-time home run champion where he led the AL in 1989 with the Blue Jays (36) and the NL in 1992 with the Padres (35). He won two Silver Slugger awards.

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July 23, 2023 Fred and “Mom” will enter the MLB Hall of Fame.