St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Mourns the Passing of Rob Grable
7/20/2019 9:29:00 AM | Baseball
Former St. John’s baseball player passed away on Friday at the age of 49
QUEENS, N.Y. (July 20, 2019) – The University community joins countless others who are mourning the passing of former St. John's third baseman Rob Grable, who passed away unexpectedly on Friday at the age of 49.
As a junior in 1991, Grable helped the Redmen record the program's best-ever effort in conference play, as the Johnnies went 18-2 against BIG EAST foes en route to the program's second BIG EAST Regular Season Championship. St. John's was rewarded with a spot in that season's NCAA Tournament and went 34-14-1.
Over his three-year career at St. John's, Grable batted .325 and is currently tied for fourth on the Red Storm's career triples list with 12. In 1991, the First Team All-BIG EAST selection batted .335 while slugging .549 and reaching base at a .418 clip. He logged 13 doubles, four triples and six home runs that year while tallying 44 RBIs and going a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts.
Grable enjoyed a successful professional career after his time in Queens. A 23rd round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1991 following his junior campaign, Grable rose through the minor league ranks before eventually reaching Triple-A with the Phillies organization in 1995.
After retiring from professional baseball in the late 1990s, Grable embarked on a long and successful career as an educator on his native Long Island. In 1998, he began working in the Mount Sinai School District as a fourth grade teacher. Four years later he became a middle school assistant principal and rose to the position of middle school principal in 2005. Just five years later, he took over the reins as the principal of Mount Sinai High School, a position he held until his untimely passing.
In these roles, Grable touched the lives of countless children, including 2013 Mount Sinai graduate and fellow St. John's Baseball standout Michael Donadio.
"He was a great role model and loved by everyone," said Donadio.
Arrangements for Grable, who leaves behind three daughters, have not yet been made public.
As a junior in 1991, Grable helped the Redmen record the program's best-ever effort in conference play, as the Johnnies went 18-2 against BIG EAST foes en route to the program's second BIG EAST Regular Season Championship. St. John's was rewarded with a spot in that season's NCAA Tournament and went 34-14-1.
Over his three-year career at St. John's, Grable batted .325 and is currently tied for fourth on the Red Storm's career triples list with 12. In 1991, the First Team All-BIG EAST selection batted .335 while slugging .549 and reaching base at a .418 clip. He logged 13 doubles, four triples and six home runs that year while tallying 44 RBIs and going a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts.
Grable enjoyed a successful professional career after his time in Queens. A 23rd round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1991 following his junior campaign, Grable rose through the minor league ranks before eventually reaching Triple-A with the Phillies organization in 1995.
After retiring from professional baseball in the late 1990s, Grable embarked on a long and successful career as an educator on his native Long Island. In 1998, he began working in the Mount Sinai School District as a fourth grade teacher. Four years later he became a middle school assistant principal and rose to the position of middle school principal in 2005. Just five years later, he took over the reins as the principal of Mount Sinai High School, a position he held until his untimely passing.
In these roles, Grable touched the lives of countless children, including 2013 Mount Sinai graduate and fellow St. John's Baseball standout Michael Donadio.
"He was a great role model and loved by everyone," said Donadio.
Arrangements for Grable, who leaves behind three daughters, have not yet been made public.
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