View source for Danny Graves

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1973)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Danny Graves
|image=Dannygraves.jpg
|caption=Graves with the [[Rochester Red Wings]] in 2008
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1973|8|7}}
|birth_place=[[Saigon]], [[South Vietnam]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=July 13
|debutyear=1996
|debutteam=Cleveland Indians
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=May 9
|finalyear=2006
|finalteam=Cleveland Indians
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=43–44
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=4.05
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=429
|stat4label=[[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
|stat4value=182
|teams=
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1996}}–{{mlby|1997}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1997}}–{{mlby|2005}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2005}})
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|2006}})
|highlights=
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2000]], [[2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2004]])
* [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum|Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]]
}}
'''Daniel Peter Graves''' (born August 7, 1973) is a [[Vietnamese Americans|Vietnamese-born American]] former professional [[baseball]] player and current baseball analyst. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as a right-handed [[pitcher]] from 1996 to 2006, most prominently as a member of the [[Cincinnati Reds]] where he was their primary [[relief pitcher]] for five seasons and became the franchise's all-time leader in career [[Save (baseball)|saves]]. A two-time National League [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], Graves was the winner of the 2002 [[Lou Gehrig Memorial Award]]. Graves also pitched for the [[Cleveland Indians]] and the [[New York Mets]].

Born to a [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] mother and an American [[serviceman]] father, Graves is the only [[List of countries with their first Major League Baseball player|Vietnam-born player]] in Major League history and one of the few American players of Vietnamese descent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of MLB players from Vietnam |url=https://stathead.com/tiny/UcwD4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108090833/https://stathead.com/tiny/UcwD4 |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=[[Stathead]] |language=en-US }}</ref> After his playing career he became a radio and television [[Sports analyst|baseball analyst]]. Graves was inducted into the [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]] in 2023.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com">{{Cite web |title=Reds Hall of Fame {{!}} Alumni Directory {{!}} Cincinnati Reds |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

==Early life==
During the [[Vietnam War]], Graves was born in [[Saigon]] to Thao and Jim Graves, a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] [[Sergeant (United States)|sergeant]]. The family fled the country when Graves was 14 months old after they learned of the impending [[fall of Saigon]]. After settling in the United States, Graves and his brother, Frank, spoke [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] until teasing from classmates caused them to abandon the language.<ref name="abj">{{cite news|last1=Ocker|first1=Sheldon|title=Baseball takes Graves family back to Vietnam|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/mar/06/baseball-takes-graves-family-back-to-vietnam/|access-date=5 July 2016|work=[[Akron Beacon Journal]]|date=March 6, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804035742/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/mar/06/baseball-takes-graves-family-back-to-vietnam/|archive-date=4 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===High school and college===
He graduated from [[Brandon High School (Florida)|Brandon High School]] in [[Brandon, Florida]], and was awarded a [[Miami Hurricanes baseball|baseball]] scholarship to the [[University of Miami]]. As a right-handed relief pitcher for the school as a junior, he posted a 0.89 [[earned run average]] and led collegiate baseball with a school-record 21 [[Save (baseball)|saves]].

==Major League Baseball==
The [[Cleveland Indians]] selected Graves in the fourth round of the [[1994 Major League Baseball draft]]. He tore his [[Anterior Cruciate Ligament|ACL]] during the [[College World Series]] two days after being drafted.  After a year of rehabilitation, he was named Cleveland's top minor league pitcher of {{baseball year|1995}} and was in the major leagues a year later. He was traded to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in July {{mlby|1997}}.

In his first nine seasons with Cleveland and Cincinnati, Graves compiled a 40–42 record as a pitcher with 406 [[strikeout]]s, a 3.89 ERA, and 172 [[Save (baseball)|saves]] in 755.2 innings. He is the only player ever to have more than one season in which all his hits were [[home run]]s. This happened in {{mlby|2000}} and {{mlby|2001}}, with one homer each.

In 2003, Graves was converted into a starter. He went 4–14 as a starter in 26 starts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reds.enquirer.com/2004/03/13/red1a.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084228/http://reds.enquirer.com/2004/03/13/red1a.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2004, Graves was again used as a closer. On April 16, 2004, Graves gave up a milestone and game-tying home run to [[Sammy Sosa]] in the bottom of the ninth inning. The game ended two pitches later, with Graves allowing a walk-off home run to [[Moisés Alou]]. Graves went on to save 41 games in the 2004 season.

The 2005 season did not start well for Graves. He struggled, posting a 7.36 ERA through 20 games. Fans in [[Cincinnati]] took notice and consistently booed Graves, leading up to a May 23 incident when Graves made an obscene hand gesture to a fan that leaned in the dugout after being called a "[[gook]]" while getting taken out of the game by Reds manager [[Dave Miley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2066723|title=Reds end Graves' tenure after poor outing, altercation|date=May 23, 2005|website=ESPN.com|access-date=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018133606/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2066723|archive-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Reds quickly released Graves after the incident.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2078917|title=Mets sign jettisoned closer Graves|date=Jun 7, 2005|website=ESPN.com|access-date=Apr 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018134106/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2078917|archive-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He was later signed as a free agent by the [[New York Mets]] on June 11, 2005.<ref name="auto"/>

After putting up a 5.89 ERA with the Mets, he was designated for assignment on August 23, 2005. He cleared waivers and was sent to [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Norfolk Tides|Norfolk]] on August 26, but was called back to the Mets when rosters expanded. Graves was 0–2 with an 18.00 ERA in five games with Norfolk.<ref>{{cite web|author=AccessNorthGa.com |url=http://www.accessnorthga.com/sports/newfullstory.asp?ID=95865 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202228/http://www.accessnorthga.com/sports/newfullstory.asp?ID=95865 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-27 |title=AccessNorthGa.com - News Articles: North Georgia's Sporting News Weather and News |access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>

On December 19, 2005, Graves signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. He pitched well in [[spring training]], earning a spot in the Indians' [[bullpen]], but was designated for assignment on May 12, {{mlby|2006}}, after he opened the season with a 2–1 record and 5.79 ERA in 13 relief appearances.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060512&content_id=1451159&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |title=Cleveland Indians : News : Cleveland Indians News |access-date=2006-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823024158/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060512&content_id=1451159&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=2006-08-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On May 18, 2006, Graves was assigned to the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, the [[Buffalo Bisons]], in [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]. He finished the 2006 season with the Bisons with a 4.01 ERA (1 Win, 1 Loss).

Graves signed a minor league deal with the Rockies on December 19, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1766147&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |title=Rockies add Graves to retooled 'pen |access-date=2014-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426214909/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1766147&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |archive-date=2014-04-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was released during Spring training in March 2007 before the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?55742-Rockies-release-Danny-Graves |title=Rockies release Danny Graves |publisher=Redszone.com |access-date=2020-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031856/http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?55742-Rockies-release-Danny-Graves |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 2007 season, Graves was on the roster of the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the independent [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]], leading the league in saves.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2008/03/31/ddn040108redsnotes.html |title=Dayton news &#124; Dayton Daily News |access-date=2008-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720015253/http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2008/03/31/ddn040108redsnotes.html |archive-date=2009-07-20 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="KFFL">{{cite web|url=http://www.kffl.com/player/5016/mlb/danny-graves |title=Danny Graves |publisher=kffl.com |access-date=December 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204174001/http://www.kffl.com/player/5016/mlb/danny-graves |archive-date=December 4, 2014 }}</ref>

Graves later signed with the [[Minnesota Twins]] on March 30, {{baseball year|2008}}, and played for the Triple-A [[Rochester Red Wings]] most of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?66841-Twins-sign-Danny-Graves/page2 |title=Twins sign Danny Graves - Page 2 |publisher=Redszone.com |access-date=2020-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044348/http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?66841-Twins-sign-Danny-Graves%2Fpage2 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros in January {{baseball year|2009}}. The Astros released him on March 25, {{baseball year|2009}}.<ref name="KFFL"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/danny-graves |title=Danny Graves Rumors |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |access-date=2020-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703170733/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/danny-graves |archive-date=2017-07-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Danny Graves was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame on July 15, 2023, for his successful career.<ref>https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/gala</ref>

==Broadcasting career==
Graves is now a baseball analyst on [[120 Sports]], "The Rally" on Bally Sports network, MLB.com, MLB Network Radio Sirius XM, and ESPN Radio. He joined the [[Cincinnati Reds Radio Network|Reds Radio Network]] to do color commentary for select games in 2018.<ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/03/09/here-s-who-will-lead-this-year-s-opening-day.html Here’s who will lead this year’s Opening Day parade]</ref>

==Personal life==
Graves is married with two children and has four children from a previous marriage.

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Baseballstats |mlb=115056 |espn=3488 |br=g/graveda01 |fangraphs=326}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051025191224/http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=4cf061da667d3359be258934a7ace941 Vietnamese American Pitcher a Man for All Seasons]
*[http://dannygraves.com/ Danny Graves official website ]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041210091843/http://reds.enquirer.com/2004/03/01/red1a.html Reds: Graves is still just a big kid ]
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5177282 National Public Radio story about Graves "Bringing Baseball to Vietnam" – audio archive]

{{Lou Gehrig Memorial Award}}
{{1994 College Baseball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Graves, Danny}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Ho Chi Minh City]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Vietnam]]
[[Category:Vietnamese people of American descent]]
[[Category:Vietnamese emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:Mayos de Navojoa players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Miami Hurricanes baseball players]]
[[Category:Kinston Indians players]]
[[Category:Canton-Akron Indians players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:Long Island Ducks players]]
[[Category:Rochester Red Wings players]]
[[Category:New Britain Rock Cats players]]
[[Category:Fort Myers Miracle players]]
[[Category:American people of Vietnamese descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Vietnamese descent]]
[[Category:All-American college baseball players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds announcers]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico]]