William Groves and Eleanor Reisberg (click for larger image)
Full Name: William Martin Groves
Nickname: Pop Pop, Martin
Born: March 17, 1920
Died: August 29, 1992 in Marriottesville Maryland
Parents: Norman Groves and Mary Humphrey
Siblings: Stanley Groves, Hilda Groves, Adlade Groves, Austin Groves
Married: Eleanor Reisberg
Children: Martin Groves, Maureen Groves (Evans), Edward Groves, Gary Groves, Ronald Groves, Susan Groves (Plank), Patty Ann Groves (Tyler)
Occupation: Farmer
Notations:
– Was in the U.S. Army from October 10th, 1943 to
– Received the Purple Heart for being shot in the ear and still carrying his commanding officer 21 miles to safety. Ronald Groves is in possession of all of his medals. I have listed him on the WWII Memorial Registry. He received a letter from the president which may be in possession by his daughter Susan Groves. I am going to try and see if she’ll let me scan a copy of it.
– Was a pitcher for the Orioles in the Minors (may eventually be listed on the site dedicated to the Forgotten Birds Documentary). He was also a pitcher for the SpringGrove baseball team in Catonsville, Maryland. I’m told he also was in a few magazines for playing baseball for the Army in Texas, because he was that good. Ronald Groves may also be in possession of these magazines, but I will try to convince him to let me scan them. (Note for me to research my uncle Lenny Reisberg also trying out for the Orioles at this time).
– Grew up in Front Royal, Virginia according to Maureen Groves
Crystal’s Notations:
– I remember Pop Pop pitching when we played baseball at our regular holiday cook-outs on the old farm on Wards Chapel Road in Marriottesville, Maryland.
A letter I received from the historian/writer of the Forgotten Birds Documentary:
Crystal Groves,
My name is Jimmy Keenan and I am the writer/historian for the Forgotten Birds documentary. Your recent Email was directed to me by the Director of the Forgotten Birds, Paul Sekulich.
A few years ago, a woman named Cindy Evans contacted the Forgotten Birds website in regard to Mr. Groves. I sent her what information I had on Mr. Groves at that time.William Groves apparently went by his middle name of Martin. My records show Martin Groves went to spring training with the Baltimore Orioles in 1940. The Birds trained in Aiken, South Carolina that year. Mr. Groves is also listed on the roster of the 1940 Dover, Delaware team of the Eastern Shore League (Oriole farm club). He may have been in camp with the Orioles at other times and may have played with Dover prior to 1940.
According to my records, Mr. Groves did not play in any regular season games with the International League Baltimore Orioles. However, he more then likely appeared in spring training games with them in 1940 and possibly other years. Most minor league record books do not list any player who appeared in five games or less for that particular season. It is possible he may have played for other minor league teams as well.
There were a large number of amateur, independent, college, high school, American Legion and semi pro teams in Maryland and the surrounding areas at this time. Mr.Groves would had to have been a truly outstanding ballplayer in order to have stood out among all of those players. In 1940, Tommy Thomas was the Oriole manager as well as the team’s general manger and vice president. Mr. Thomas is the person who more than likely signed Mr. Groves. His signing may have been the result of a recommendation from Fritz Maisel who was a former Oriole player and a native of Catonsville. Mr. Groves was evidently signed by the Orioles and then farmed out to the Dover club. The Oriole farm team at Dover was full of talented young players who were awaiting their shot a the higher minors. It appears that World War II cut short Mr. Groves very promising professional baseball career.
I hope this information has been helpful,
Respectfully,
Jimmy Keenan
– Another email I received in correspondence with Jimmy Keenan:
Some baseball fans do not realize how talented a ballplayer has to be in order to be signed to a professional contract. As I stated in the Email I sent to you, Mr. Groves would had to have been an outstanding ballplayer just to be scouted and eventually, signed by the International League Orioles.
My granddad, Jimmy Lyston, was signed by the Orioles at age 18 and he too, was from Baltimore. Some do not fully grasp that the International League Orioles were a professional team. Some people do not equate professional baseball with the minor leagues. I’m sure we are both very proud of our grandfathers baseball talent.
– I am told that much of Pop Pops family is Dutch.
Awesome stuff! I did email that man, but do not remember receiving any information back as I would have kept it. But thankfully you have it and have recorded it for all of us. You’re awesome!
Mom (Maureen Evans) said that the picture with picture of Pop Pop with the baseballs is him and Tommy Thomas as mentioned in the responce you received. Mom obtained this picture from contacting the University of MD I believe.
I know that my grandfather Percival Francis Groves (he went by Frank) hsd brothers Louis and William among other siblings I believe in the PA. , NY, NJ area. Also sister I know of Adelaide and Nina. These people are of one generation before Mr. William Groves and could possibly be aunts, uncles, cousins,etc. My dad Robert E. Groves (deceased) and his twin brother John were born Nov. 14, 1926.
Percival Francis Groves was a black sheep in the family and came of age during the “flapper” or “roaring twenties” era. Hello to all the Grovesey’s out there~ :.)
My name is Jimmy Keenan and awhile back I was contacted in regard to Martin Groves’ baseball career.
I see that our email exchange has been posted on the web. In the second email that I wrote I said that, “there are some people in my family that do not fully grasp that the IL Orioles were a professional team.”
I was refering to a very pertinent and intelligent question I received from a family member in regard to the salary differnces between the Internantional League Orioles and the American League Orioles. I would like to state for the record that every single one of my family members are very intelligent and savy baseball fans. I hope my statement in that email will not be misconstrued any other way. I am very proud of all of my family and their baseball knowledge.
I have just had one book published and am currently working on two more. When I get a chance, I will see If I can locate any more information on Mr. Groves baseball career.
Thank you
I just located a teammate of Mr.Groves on the 1940 Dover team. I will be interviewing him soon and will be getting back to you with any pertinent information I find out on Mr. Groves’ baseball career.
maybe you can help..my grandpa William D. Groves Dunn, NC doing some family searching..was told that our family came from Maryland. if you could email and we can talk some more..Is your grandpa Native American?? Related to any Groves in NC? email me at yahoo. Thanx! Crossin fingers this could be a break
Hi there, don’t know if you still check this account, but my Grandmother’s Mother’s maiden name was Hilda Groves. I was going through some pictures and found out my Great grandma Hilda had a sister named Adelaide and a brother named Martin, so I did some digging. I think we might be related.