Editing Lefty Grove (section)

==Philadelphia Athletics==
Grove battled injuries as a major league rookie and posted a 10–12 mark (which would prove his only losing record in 17 major league seasons). He led the league in strikeouts but posted a high 4.75 ERA. Grove then settled down in 1926 and won the first of a record nine earned run average (ERA) titles with a mark of 2.51.<ref>{{cite web |title=MLB Pitching ERA Champion as Recognized at End of Year |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/pitching-era-titles.shtml |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]] |access-date=1 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In 1927, Grove won 20 games for the first time, and a year later he tied [[George Pipgras]] for the AL lead in wins with 24.<ref name="Russo 146"/>

The Athletics won the AL [[Pennant (sports)|pennant]] in three consecutive seasons (1929 to 1931), as well as consecutive World Series championships in [[1929 World Series|1929]] and [[1930 World Series|1930]]. During the Athletics' championship run, Grove led the way as the league's top pitcher, posting records of 20–6, 28–5 and 31–4. In 1931, Grove led the league in wins, ERA (2.06), strikeouts (175), winning percentage, [[complete game]]s, and shutouts. His 2.06 ERA was 2.32 runs below the league average.<ref>''Baseball's Top 100: The Game's Greatest Records'', p. 51, Kerry Banks, 2010, Greystone Books, Vancouver, BC, {{ISBN|978-1-55365-507-7}}</ref> He was also chosen as league [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] in 1931, making him one of only a handful of pitchers to achieve this honor. His MVP award is the only one not enshrined in the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[Cooperstown, New York]], instead being housed at the George's Creek Library in [[Lonaconing, Maryland]].

During the 1931 season, Grove tied [[Smokey Joe Wood]]'s and [[Walter Johnson]]'s AL record with 16 straight wins. He was attempting to win his 17th straight decision when a rookie outfielder filling in for [[Al Simmons]], who had the day off, committed an [[Error (baseball)|error]] that led to the only run of the game. Grove stated, "After that game I went in and tore the clubhouse up. Wrecked the place. Tore those stall lockers off the wall, giving Al Simmons hell all the while."<ref name="Russo 146">Russo, p. 146</ref> He followed the loss with eight straight wins.<ref name="Russo 146"/> He led the league in strikeouts for a record seven straight years to start his major league career.

The Athletics contended for the next two seasons, but finished second to the [[New York Yankees]] in 1932 and third behind the [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] and Yankees in 1933. In 1933, Grove became the first player in [[Major League Baseball]] history to strike out five times in a nine-inning game.<ref>Solomon, Abbot Neil, "Baseball Records Illustrated", Quintet Publishing, London, 1988</ref> On December 12, 1933, team owner [[Connie Mack]] traded Grove, along with [[Max Bishop]] and [[Rube Walberg]], to the [[Boston Red Sox]] for [[Bob Kline]], [[Rabbit Warstler]] and $125,000.