Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove, a native of Lonaconing, was one of baseball's all-time great pitchers. In 17 seasons from 1925 to 1941 as a Major Leaguer, he won 300 games and lost 141 for a .680 percentage. Pitching for Philadelphia and Boston, he led the American League in earned-run percentage nine times and won 20 or more games on eight occasions. He won 16 consecutive games in 1931, a league record, and 14 straight in 1928. In 1931, when his record was 31-4, he was voted the League's Most Valuable Player. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1947. In connection with the baseball centennial in 1969, he was selected as the greatest lefthanded pitcher of all time. His career earned-run average in the majors was 3.06. He won 108 games and lost only 36 during six years with Baltimore in the International League.