If you are a baseball fan, you might have heard of two players with the same last name: Vaughn Grissom and Marquis Grissom. Both are talented infielders who have played for the Atlanta Braves, but are they related? The answer might surprise you.
Who is Vaughn Grissom?
Vaughn Grissom is a 22-year-old rookie who was selected by the Braves in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut on August 10, 2022, at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, and had a historic performance. He went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run over the Green Monster and a stolen base, becoming the youngest player in either the American League or National League history to homer and steal a base in his major league debut.
Grissom attended Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida, where he was teammates with Riley Greene, a top prospect for the Detroit Tigers. He had committed to play college baseball at Florida International University, but decided to sign with the Braves instead.
Grissom quickly rose through the minor league ranks, showing impressive skills as a hitter and a fielder. He played mostly as a second baseman and a shortstop, but also saw some action at third base and in the outfield. He started the 2022 season with the Rome Braves of the High-A East, where he batted .319 with seven home runs and 16 stolen bases in 65 games. He was promoted to the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A Southern League in July, where he hit .363 with three home runs and six stolen bases in 22 games before getting called up to the majors.
Grissom entered the 2023 season as a candidate for the starting shortstop job for the Braves, after Dansby Swanson left in free agency. He competed with Orlando Arcia and Braden Shewmake for the role, but was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers in March. He is expected to return to the majors soon and continue his promising career.
Who is Marquis Grissom?
Marquis Grissom is a 55-year-old former professional baseball center fielder who played in MLB for 17 seasons from 1989 to 2005. He played for six teams: the Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. He was a two-time All-Star, a World Series champion with the Braves in 1995, an ALCS MVP with the Indians in 1997, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a two-time NL stolen base leader. He had a career batting average of .272 with 2,251 hits, 227 home runs, 967 RBIs, and 429 stolen bases.
Grissom was born in Atlanta, Georgia, as the second-youngest of sixteen children of Marion and Julia Grissom. He grew up in Red Oak, Georgia, where his father built their house from scratch while working on the assembly line at a Ford plant. He attended Lakeshore High School in College Park, Georgia, where he excelled in baseball, football, and track and field. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of high school but chose to play college baseball at Florida A&M University as a pitcher and outfielder. He was drafted by the Expos in the third round of the 1988 amateur draft and made his MLB debut in 1989.
Grissom became one of the best defensive center fielders and base stealers in the game during his tenure with the Expos from 1989 to 1994. He was traded to his hometown Braves before the 1995 season and helped them win their first World Series title since moving to Atlanta. He scored the winning run in Game 6 on a single by David Justice. He was traded again to the Indians before the 1997 season and led them to their second consecutive AL pennant. He hit .360 with four home runs and eight RBIs in the ALCS against the Baltimore Orioles and was named MVP of the series. He also hit .360 with three home runs and five RBIs in the World Series against the Florida Marlins, but could not prevent them from losing in seven games.
Grissom spent four more seasons with four different teams: Brewers (1998-2000), Dodgers (2001-2002), Giants (2003-2005). He retired after playing his final game on July 31, 2005. He finished his career with 2,251 hits, ranking him 10th among African American players in MLB history. He also ranks 11th in stolen bases and 12th in home runs among center fielders.
After retiring, Grissom founded the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association, a non-profit organization that provides baseball instruction and mentoring to inner-city youth in Atlanta. He also served as a coach for the Washington Nationals from 2009 to 2012 and for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2013 to 2014. He is currently a special assistant to the general manager of the Braves.
Are They Related?
The answer is no. Vaughn Grissom and Marquis Grissom are not related by blood or by marriage. They just happen to share a common surname and a passion for baseball. They have met each other a few times and have exchanged some words of advice and encouragement, but they are not family members.
However, they do have some similarities besides their name. They both grew up in Georgia, they both played for the Braves, they both can play multiple positions, and they both have speed and power as part of their game. They also have some differences, such as their age gap, their draft position, and their primary position.
Regardless of their relationship status, they are both impressive players who have made their mark on the game of baseball. They are both examples of hard work, dedication, and talent that inspire many fans and aspiring players alike.
Conclusion
Vaughn Grissom and Marquis Grissom are two baseball players who share a last name but not a family tree. They have different backgrounds, careers, and achievements, but they also have some common traits and experiences. They are both proud representatives of the Braves organization and the state of Georgia. They are both worthy of admiration and respect for their contributions to the sport.
