Phillies 1980's All-Decade Team: Hall of Fame Legends Lead the Way

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SAN DIEGO – 1987: Kevin Gross of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the 1987 season MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Kevin Gross

Gross spent his first six Major League seasons with the Phillies making his debut for the 1983 NL Championship team. in fact, he made 17 starts that season, going 4-6 with a shutout and a solid ERA of 3.56.

He made 44 appearances in 1984 including 14 starts in 1984, compiling a record of 8-5 with a 4.12 ERA. Returning to a strictly starter’s role in 1985, Gross won 15 games, struck out 151 in 205 2/3 innings and posted an ERA of 3.41.

Proven to be a durable starter, Gross started 36 games in 1986, won 12, completed seven and hurled 241 2/3 innings, while striking out 154. His production fell off the map during 1987, winning just 9 of 25 decisions with an ERA of 4.35 and a low strikeout total of 110 in 200 2/3 innings.

During his final season in Philadelphia, Gross made his first and only All-Star team. Although he finished sub .500 with a record of 12-14, Gross rebounded to a solid 3.69 ERA 231 2/3 innings and five complete games.

Gross went on to play nine more seasons in the Major Leagues with the Expos, Dodgers, Rangers and Angels. In six years with the Phillies, Gross compiled a record of 60-66 with an ERA of 3.87.