Dick Groat revered as legendary sports figure and humble person

Dick Groat achieved rare athletic greatness as a two-sport All-American at Duke University, while playing baseball and basketball.His legendary baseball career includes National League MVP and World Series champion with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960.But Groat, who died Thursday at 92, was equally revered for his humility and respect for others."I think great is the most overused word, especially in sports, but he was truly one of the greats," said University of Pittsburgh men's basketball coach Jeff Capel. "Even though he never wore a jersey here at the University of Pittsburgh, he was incredibly proud of this place, really proud of his association with it. He was incredibly proud of his association with this city."After his baseball career, Groat teamed with Bill Hillgrove to become the broadcast announcers for Pitt basketball games, a tandem that lasted 40 years."Obviously a sports legend, the best athlete western Pennsylvania, probably the state of Pennsylvania, has ever produced," Hillgrove said. "Beyond that, he was a great human being, greater human being than he was an athlete. He was humble. He was fair."Before his death, the Pirates organization announced last week that Groat will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame as a member of the 2023 class.