Wayne Gross

Wayne Gross is an American former professional baseball player known for his career as a third baseman in Major League Baseball from 1976 to 1986, primarily with the Oakland Athletics where he earned a selection to the 1977 All-Star Game. ^{[1] [2]} He also played two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and appeared in the 1981 postseason with Oakland. ^[3] Born on January 14, 1952, in Riverside, California, Gross grew up in the area and attended Riverside Polytechnic High School before playing college baseball at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. ^[3] He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the ninth round of the 1973 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with the team on August 21, 1976. ^[1] After establishing himself as a regular third baseman for Oakland through the early 1980s, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in December 1983, where he served as their primary third baseman in 1984 before transitioning to a part-time role the following year. ^[3] Gross returned to the Athletics organization for the 1986 season, appearing in a limited capacity before retiring after the campaign. ^[1]

Early life

Birth and background

Wayne Dale Gross was born on January 14, 1952, in Riverside, California.^[1][2] He attended Riverside Polytechnic High School in Riverside and played college baseball at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.^[1][2] He stands 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall.^[1][2]

Baseball career

Entry into professional baseball and MLB debut

Wayne Gross was born on January 14, 1952, in Riverside, California. ^[1] He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the ninth round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. ^{[1] [2]} Gross began his professional career in the minor leagues that same year, playing initially for the Lewiston Broncs in the Northwest League and the Burlington Bees in the Midwest League. ^[4] He advanced to the Birmingham A's in the Southern League for the 1974 and 1975 seasons before spending 1976 with the Tucson Toros in the Pacific Coast League. ^[4] Gross made his Major League Baseball debut on August 21, 1976, with the Oakland Athletics at the age of 24. ^{[1] [2]} He played primarily as a third baseman, batting left-handed and throwing right-handed. ^{[1] [2]}

Oakland Athletics tenure (1976–1983)

Wayne Gross joined the Oakland Athletics in 1976, making his Major League Baseball debut on August 21 of that year against the Boston Red Sox. ^[1] He played sparingly in his initial partial season before becoming a regular in the lineup. In 1977, his first full season and rookie campaign, Gross hit 22 home runs while appearing in 146 games, primarily at third base. ^[1] His power output earned him a selection to the American League All-Star team that year as a replacement for Athletics pitcher Vida Blue, who was sidelined due to injury. ^[5] Gross continued as a key contributor for Oakland over the following seasons, establishing himself as a reliable third baseman with solid plate discipline. ^[1] In 1981, during the strike-shortened season, he appeared in the postseason for Oakland, playing in 5 games across the AL Division Series and ALCS and hitting 1 home run. ^[1] His tenure with the Athletics during this period ended on December 8, 1983, when he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Tim Stoddard. ^[1] Across his full major league career, Gross hit 121 home runs. ^[1]

Baltimore Orioles stint (1984–1985)

Wayne Gross joined the Baltimore Orioles after being traded from the Oakland Athletics on December 8, 1983, in exchange for pitcher Tim Stoddard.^[1] He spent two seasons with Baltimore, primarily serving as the team's third baseman while providing power from the left side of the plate.^[1] In 1984, Gross appeared in 127 games and hit 22 home runs to go along with 64 RBIs and a .216 batting average.^[1] He drew 68 walks and posted an OPS+ of 120, reflecting above-average offensive production relative to the league during a season in which he handled the bulk of the playing time at third base.^[1] His performance included positive contributions in both batting and baserunning value, though his defense at third base remained a noted area of inconsistency.^[1] Gross saw reduced playing time in 1985, appearing in 103 games while batting .235 with 11 home runs and 18 RBIs.^[1] He continued to show strong plate discipline with 46 walks and again recorded an OPS+ of 120, but his overall output reflected a more limited role that included some time at first base and as a designated hitter.^[1] No All-Star selections, major awards, or standout individual highlights marked his tenure with the Orioles, which concluded after the 1985 season.^[1]

Return to Oakland and retirement (1986)

In 1986, Wayne Gross returned to the Oakland Athletics, the team with which he had spent the first eight seasons of his Major League career from 1976 to 1983. ^[1] Following his release by the Baltimore Orioles on April 3, 1986, Gross signed as a free agent with Oakland on May 12, 1986. ^[1] He appeared in just three games during the season, serving primarily as a pinch hitter and making one appearance at third base. ^[1] Gross's final Major League appearance occurred on October 1, 1986, against the Texas Rangers, in which he recorded no at-bats. ^[1] He was released by the Athletics on December 8, 1986, and did not play in the majors again, effectively concluding his 11-year playing career. ^{[1] [3]}

Career statistics and notable achievements

Wayne Gross posted a career batting average of .233 over 11 Major League Baseball seasons, accumulating 121 home runs and 396 runs batted in. ^[2] He compiled these totals across 1,105 games played, primarily as a third baseman for the Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles. ^[2] His most notable individual achievement came in 1977 when he was selected to the American League All-Star team while playing for the Oakland Athletics. ^[2] Gross's career on-base plus slugging percentage stood at .732, reflecting his power-hitting contributions from the hot corner. ^[2] These statistics underscore his role as a reliable offensive third baseman during his tenure in the majors. ^[1]

Post-baseball career

High school coaching

After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1986, Wayne Gross settled in Danville, California, with his wife Patty Gross, who served as a longtime tennis coach at Monte Vista High School. ^[6] Information regarding his own involvement in high school coaching remains limited and largely undocumented in reliable public sources. Reports have suggested he coached baseball and tennis at Monte Vista High School, but no specific years, duration, achievements, or outcomes are confirmed. There is no evidence of professional coaching roles or other major post-playing career pursuits.

Film and television appearances

On-screen appearance in 1981 American League Championship Series

Wayne Gross appeared as himself in the television broadcast of the 1981 American League Championship Series, a sports program documenting the three-game playoff between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees. ^[7] This appearance was credited across all three episodes of the TV series presentation, where he was listed in his roles as an Oakland Athletics pinch hitter and third baseman. ^[7] The on-screen presence was tied directly to his active Major League Baseball career with the Athletics during the 1981 season, reflecting standard documentary-style coverage of live playoff games rather than any scripted acting performance. ^{[7] [1]} He participated in each of the three games as a reserve player, resulting in his inclusion in the broadcast footage. ^[1]

Cameo role in Angels in the Outfield (1994)

Wayne Gross made a cameo appearance in the 1994 Disney film Angels in the Outfield, portraying a relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. ^[8] This brief role was shared with former major leaguer Carney Lansford, who also appeared in a cameo capacity in the same film. ^[9] The appearance occurred years after Gross's retirement from Major League Baseball and was his only known acting credit, consistent with occasional post-career cameos by former players in sports-themed motion pictures. ^[10] The role was minor and uncredited in most listings, reflecting its limited screen time as a nod to real-life baseball figures. ^[11]

Legacy and later years

Overall impact and recognition

Wayne Gross is primarily remembered as a solid Major League Baseball third baseman who hit 121 career home runs and earned selection to the 1977 All-Star Game. ^{[1] [2]} Over his career spanning 1976 to 1986, he established himself as a reliable power hitter at the position, though his overall impact was that of a capable contributor rather than a dominant figure in the league. ^[1] Recognition of Gross remains limited beyond his All-Star nod, with no major awards such as MVP, Gold Glove, or Silver Slugger, and his career value reflected in a 15.1 WAR that places him outside Hall of Fame consideration or prominent historical rankings. ^[1] His media footprint is similarly minor, consisting of a cameo role in the 1994 film Angels in the Outfield. ^[7] Areas of limited documentation include his post-baseball activities, which are primarily known through high school coaching with sparse details otherwise available, as well as little publicly recorded information on his personal life. ^[12] Sources generally offer only basic career statistics and no extensive assessment of broader legacy or influence. ^[1]

Areas of limited documentation

Despite his solid Major League career spanning eleven seasons, detailed biographical information on Wayne Gross remains limited outside of standard statistical records and brief college hall of fame entries. ^{[1] [13]} Sources primarily cover his playing tenure, draft history, and key achievements such as his 1977 All-Star selection, with minimal coverage of his early life in Riverside, California, family background, or personal experiences beyond a mention of meeting his wife at Cal Poly Pomona. ^[2] Post-retirement activities, particularly beyond his known high school coaching role, are sparsely documented in credible public sources, with no extensive interviews, memoirs, or in-depth profiles available to provide further insight into his later years. ^[14] This scarcity contrasts with more prominent players of his era who have received broader biographical treatment.