Baltimore Orioles (1920 - 1924)

Baltimore Orioles (1920 - 1924). . In the middle of the 1920 season, John "Jack" Dunn I signed Grove with the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, a minor league team. Grove led the league in strikeouts during his four seasons with the Orioles, and the team won the league pennant each year during his tenure., On Sept. 9, 1921, the Orioles played an exhibition game in Frostburg, Md., against the Frostburg Demons. Special trains, commissioned to transport people from the George's Creek and Cumberland areas of Allegany County, allowed hometown fans to witness the game. Grove pitched, and the Orioles won 9-3., In 1923, Grove set an International League record, striking out 330 batters , a record that remains standing today., Major league teams quickly took notice of Grove, but Dunn was reluctant to part with his star player. At the time, the Orioles were not subject to a major league draft. The creation of the Federal League in 1914 caused wage inflation competition for major league players. As a result, Dunn sold Babe Ruth's contract in order to make payroll. After realizing later that he let Ruth go too cheaply, Dunn swore never to sell another player's contract until he received fair market value., True to his word, Dunn repeatedly refused offers for Grove until Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics offered a record $100,600 for the player at the end of the 1924 season. Grove later joked that the offer included $100,000 for his pitching, and $600 for his hitting!, [Caption:] , Warm-up with the Baltimore Orioles , (Courtesy Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Baltimore, Md.)