1976 Topps #171 - Greg Gross

• Greg Gross had a long career spent mostly with the Philadelphia Phillies. Gross was originally signed by the Houston Astros. He played in the minors from 1970-1973 and was called up at the end of the 1973 season. Greg batted .231 in 39 at bats for the Astros in 1973.

• Greg was given the starting right fielder job in 1974 and batted .314 in 156 games. He stole 12 bases but was caught 20 times. Gross finished second to Bake McBride in NL Rookie of the Year balloting. In 1975 Greg split his time between left field and right field and batted .294 in 132 games. Gross stayed in RF in 1976 and batted .286 in 128 games. After the 1976 season Greg was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Julio Gonzalez.

• In 1977 Gross was the fourth outfielder for the Cubs. He batted .322 and hit his first five career home runs. Greg got more playing time (mostly in center field) in 1978, batted .265 in 347 at bats, and hit one home run. It would be his last home run until 1987. The 1978 season was also the last season that Greg would get more than 300 at bats.

• Before the 1979 season Greg was traded to the Phillies in a multi-player deal. Manny Trillo also went to the Phillies in that trade. Gross was a pinch hitter and extra outfielder and had his highest batting average (.333 in 174 at bats) in 1979. He had a nice on base percentage of .422 in '79. Greg batted .240 in 154 at bats for the World Champion Phillies in 1980.

• Gross struggled in 1981 and batted .225 in 102 at bats. He improved his average each of the next three years (.299, .302, .322). Greg continued to be a bench player for the Phillies through the 1988 season. He had a drop-off in batting average in 1988 (.203) and he became a free agent after the season. Greg signed with the Astros and batted .200 in 75 at bats in 1989. He wasn't offered a contract in 1990 and sat out the season. He tried out with the San Diego Padres in 1991 and had a good shot at making the team, but the Padres signed Mike Aldrete instead and Greg was done.

• After his playing career he did some broadcasting, dabbled in real estate, and did some high school baseball coaching. Since 1995 Greg has been a coach at various levels in the minor leagues. He is now the hitting instructor for the Phillies' AAA Lehigh Valley team. The annual Greg Gross open is played at the Anetsberger Golf Club in Northbrook, IL.