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, Edward Groves, Gary Groves, Ronald Groves, Susan Groves, Patty Ann Groves
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.