Kevin Gryboski

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Kevin excelled at baseball and basketball at Bishop Hoban High School. In 1991 he was named a Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star in baseball. His #30 was retired by Bishop Hoban. Kevin continued playing both sports at Wilkes University. In 1994 the team became MAC champions and in 1995 he was named a MAC All-Star. In 1994 he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds; however he decided to return to Wilkes University for his senior year. In 1995 he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners and played for the Everett Aqua Sox after s igning. In 1996, he played with the Appleton Timber Rattlers (champions); 1997 the Lancaster Jethawks; 1998 Lancaster Jethawks/Orlando Rays; 1999 New Haven Ravens; 2000 New Haven Ravens/Tacoma Rainiers (champions); and 2001 Tacoma Rainiers (champions). Kevin had 25 saves that year. In January 2002 he was traded to the Atlanta Braves and he made his Major League debut on April 13, 2002. Kevin went 2-1 with a 3.48 average in 57 games and received Rookie of the Year votes. The Braves won the Nation League East pennant and Kevin pitched in three post-season games with giving up one run versus the Giants. In 2003 he went 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 64 games. The Braves again won the National League East pennant and Kevin pitched in live post-season games, giving up one run versus the Cubs. In 2004, he went 3-2 With a 2.84 ERA in 69 games with two saves. Winning the NL East pennant, Kevin pitched in five post-season games, giving up one run versus Houston. Kevin was the set up man for John Smoltz. In 2005, he went 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA in 42 games. The Braves again won the NE East pennant (their 15th consecutive pennant). Kevin was traded to the Texas Rangers at the trading deadline. In 2006 he played for the Washington Nationals/New Orleans Zephyrs; 2007 Pittsburgh Pirates/Indianapolis Indians; 2008 San Francisco/Giants Fresno Grizzlies. In 2009 Kevin had shoulder reconstruction surgery and rehabbed the entire season. He retired from major league baseball in 2010, with career stats of 12-8 and a 4.07 ERA. In 2002 while with the Atlanta Braves, Kevin got the nickname “Groundball Gryboski” due to his ability to get batters to ground into double plays, leading the league in ground ball/fly ball ratio. A resident of Venetia, PA, Kevin is married to wife Leah. They have two children: KJ 7 and Kaylee 6.