During his time with the Mets, he caught the likes of Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Jon Matlack. "Jerry was really the best defensive catcher I ever saw" former Mets outfielder Art Shamsky said.

"He was the reason for my success," Grote’s former teammate Jerry Koosman said. "I have the photo in my home of me jumping into his arms after we won in 1969. I am heartbroken. No one was better ...