Grady Little facts for kids

William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950) is an American former manager in Major League Baseball. He currently works in the front office for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Grady Little managed the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003. He also managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 to 2007. He has been honored in several baseball halls of fame, including Kinston, North Carolina (2001), Charlotte (1985), and the Hagerstown Suns Hall of Fame (2009).

In 2003, his second year with the Red Sox, Little led the team to a great season. They won 95 games and played in the 2003 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees. However, the team lost a close Game 7, which many remember for a decision Little made about leaving a pitcher in the game.

Grady Little's Playing Days

Grady Little finished high school at Garinger High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. After that, the Atlanta Braves picked him in the 1968 Major League Baseball Draft.

After serving in the Marine reserves in 1969, Grady played baseball for five years. He was a catcher in the minor leagues for the Braves and New York Yankees teams. He played in 167 games.

During his playing career, he had a batting average of .207. He hit two home runs and had 37 runs batted in. He stopped playing baseball in 1973.

Coaching Baseball

From 1996 to 2001, Grady Little worked as a coach for three different Major League Baseball teams. These teams were the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians.

Coaching High School Baseball

Grady Little also spent time as the Head of Baseball Operations and Head Coach for the Varsity Baseball team at Hickory Grove Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is now retired and lives with his wife in his hometown.

Coaching in the Minor Leagues

In 1971, while still playing, Little became a player-coach for the West Haven Yankees. He continued coaching with West Haven until 1974, even after he stopped playing.

From 1975 to 1979, he took a break from baseball and worked as a cotton farmer.

He later managed minor league teams for 16 years. During this time, his teams won 1,054 games and lost 903.

Here are some of the minor league teams he managed:

• 1980: Bluefield Orioles
• 1981–82, 1984: Hagerstown Suns (They won the league championship in 1981!)
• 1983–84: Charlotte O's
• 1985: Kinston Blue Jays
• 1986–87: Pulaski Braves (They were league champions in 1986!)
• 1988: Burlington Braves
• 1988–1991: Durham Bulls
• 1992: Greenville Braves (They won the League Championship, and he was named minor league manager of the year!)
• 1992: Grand Canyon Rafters (He was part of the Arizona Fall League and joined its Hall of Fame in 2006.)
• 1993–1995: Richmond Braves (They won the League Championship, and he was the International League Manager of the Year in 1994!)

While managing the Durham Bulls, Grady Little also helped as a baseball trainer for the movie Bull Durham.

Managing Major League Teams

Leading the Boston Red Sox

In March 2002, the Boston Red Sox hired Grady Little as their manager. He was very popular with his players. He helped create a relaxed atmosphere in the clubhouse and supported players who were having a tough time. His time with the Red Sox was successful. The team won 188 games in his two seasons.

However, his time with the Red Sox is often remembered for a specific decision in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series. The Red Sox were playing the New York Yankees. The Red Sox were leading 5–2 in the 8th inning and were close to reaching the World Series.

Little went to the mound after their star starting pitcher, Pedro Martínez, gave up three hits and a run. Martínez had thrown 118 pitches by this point. Little decided to keep Martínez in the game. The Yankees then tied the game with a two-run hit. The Yankees later won the game and the pennant in the 11th inning.

After the Red Sox lost, the team decided not to renew Little's contract. He was replaced by Terry Francona, who later led the Red Sox to World Series wins in 2004 and 2007.

A company planned to give away Grady Little bobble arm dolls in 2004. The doll's arm would bounce like a manager calling to the bullpen. Little did not want his likeness used at first. But then he agreed that the dolls could be sold. The money raised from the sales went to a charity that helps retired baseball scouts.

Managing the Los Angeles Dodgers

In 2004 and 2005, Little worked for the Chicago Cubs as a consultant, instructor, and scout. On December 8, 2005, the Los Angeles Dodgers hired Little to be their new manager.

As manager of the Dodgers, Little worked again with some players from his Red Sox days. These included pitcher Derek Lowe and infielder Nomar Garciaparra. Little helped bring a fresh start to the Dodgers.

In his first season (2006), the Dodgers won 88 games. They earned a spot in the playoffs as a wild-card team. However, they lost to the New York Mets in the NLDS. In 2007, the Dodgers faced many injuries to key players. They also had many young players, and they did not make the playoffs.

Little resigned from his position on October 30, 2007, for personal reasons.

Working in the Front Office

With the Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 8, 2014, Grady Little joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. He works as a senior advisor to the team's front office.

Grady Little's Manager Record

Family Life

Grady Little and his wife, Debi, have a son named Eric. They also have three grandchildren: Braden, Luke, and Jace. His brother, Bryan Little, also played in Major League Baseball as an infielder.