Cincinnati Reds nation is mourning the loss of one of its bullpen legends.
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Wayne Granger, a key reliever during the early years of the famed Big Red Machine era, has died at the age of 81. The former closer later earned a place in the Reds Hall of Fame after a memorable run with the Cincinnati Reds.
Granger arrived in Cincinnati as part of a blockbuster October 1968 trade with the St. Louis Cardinals that sent star outfielder Vada Pinson the other way.
Not long after, Granger became one of baseball's most dominant relievers.
In 1969 — the first season the save became an official MLB statistic — the lanky right-hander stepped into the closer role and immediately thrived. He finished second in the National League with 27 saves and set what was then a league record by appearing in 90 games. The performance earned him The Sporting News National League Fireman of the Year award.
Granger remained a crucial piece of Cincinnati's rise in 1970, when the Reds captured the NL pennant in their first season at Riverfront Stadium. That year he recorded 35 saves, again earning recognition as the league's top reliever.
He was also part of a historic moment that season, throwing the final pitch in the last game played at Crosley Field.
The Reds traded Granger to the Minnesota Twins after the 1971 season. He later pitched for several other clubs before retiring in 1976.
Granger was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1982, cementing his place among the franchise's all-time greats.
