R-Phils introduce hitting instructor, fifth 'King'
Greg Gross, who Philadelphia named to the Reading staff on November 28, played 17 Major League seasons as an outfielder for the Astros, Cubs and Phillies, breaking into the Majors with Houston in 1973. In '74, his first full season, he hit .314 (3rd in the NL) and scored 78 runs, earning himself The Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year honors. He was traded to Chicago in December 1976 and in 1979 came to the Phillies in an eight-player deal that also brought Manny Trillo to Philadelphia. Gross spent 10 seasons in Philadelphia before finishing his playing career back in Houston in 1989.
"I came through Houston's organization, but it feels like I came through (the Phillies) organization and have been a member of this organization forever," Gross said from the podium. "I got treated extremely well as a player and it's carried over to a coaching situation too."
A .287 career hitter, Gross never accumulated more than 400 at-bats in a season after 1976, but made a living by delivering pinch-hits. He ranks fourth all-time on the Major League pinch-hit list with 143. In the 1980 NL Championship Series against Houston, he came through in the clutch with three key pinch-hit singles, all of which directly contributed to Phillies' victories. He was also a superb contact hitter throughout his career, striking out just 250 times in 3,745 at-bats.
Gross's coaching career began in the Eastern League with New Haven (Rockies-Double-A), where he was a coach from 1995-96. He was a roving hitting instructor for Colorado from 1997-2000 before rejoining the Phillies organization as Larry Bowa's bench coach in 2001. He was the Phils' hitting instructor from 2002- 04. In 2005 he was a coach with Batavia (Class A Short-Season) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) and spent last season with Clearwater (Class A Advanced).
He replaces John Morris, who has left the Phillies to take a scouting position with the Cincinnati Reds. P.J. Forbes will return as manager with pitching coach Tom Filer.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I had here," said Morris, a Reading resident and the R-Phils hitting coach from 2004-2006. "I got to work with some of the best baseball people on and off the field."
Ducky Turner named 5th King of Baseballtown
He has never taken a swing in the Major or Minor Leagues, but he has always stepped up to the plate for baseball in Reading, especially when it comes to the Reading Phillies' home at FirstEnergy Stadium.
For his selfless giving, tireless work, burning passion and unflappable dedication for over 25 years, Francis "Ducky" Turner will be crowned the fifth King of Baseballtown at the annual banquet to be held January 25 at the Sheraton Reading.
The dinner will also be the Phillies' Winter Tours' annual stop in Baseballtown. All proceeds from the evening benefit Baseballtown Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping more children play baseball.
Since 1981, Turner has been a driving force at FirstEnergy Stadium. He has been instrumental as a liaison between former Reading Phillies owner Joe Buzas, current owner Craig Stein and the City of Reading in helping to transform the stadium into a nostalgic baseball palace with many modern amenities that is admired from coast-to-coast for its beauty, charm and history.
Turner was elected as a member of the Reading Stadium Commission in 1981 and in 1984 he became the organization's chairman. From 1987 through the 1999 season he held the title of stadium manager.
Since the 2002 season he has been the manager of RP Concessions, Inc., the division of the Reading Phillies that administrates the team's liquor license. He was inducted into the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
His love for baseball in Reading developed during his youth when he played center field for a number of teams in the City/County League and attended Indians, Red Sox and Phillies Minor League games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
In the City/County League, Turner played for the Class-C Barmarck Shoes club from ages 14 to 16. At age 17 he joined the Class-A adult circuit and patrolled the outfield for St. Donato's Italian Club, Mitchell's Service Station, the Shillington Merchants and West Lawn Owls during his tenure in the league.
Turner was born in Reading, grew up in the Milmont section of town and is a 1953 graduate of Reading High School.
Previous Kings of Baseballtown have been the late "Broadway" Charlie Wagner (2003), Paul "Cooter" Jones, Dick Gernert (2005) and Rocky Santilli (2006).
Winter Tour update
Philadelphia Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel has been added to the Winter Tour lineup, which so far includes lefty Cole Hamels and Reading Phillies all-time home run leader Gary Burnham. Additional players are expected to be added in the coming days.
The event is January 25, 2007, at the Sheraton Reading and serves as the annual King of Baseballtown banquet with proceeds to benefit Baseballtown Charities (Baseballtown.org).
Tickets are $55 each and available at FirstEnergy Stadium (610-375-8469) or anytime at readingphillies.com.
Doors open at 5:30 for cocktail hour with cash bar until 6:30. Dinner begins at 6:45 followed by presentations and the Phillies speakers.