SOMEKINDANICE
Official Website of
Mark Grant
MARK GRANT
BASEBALL PLAYER | BROADCASTER | PHILANTROPHIST
Mark Grant is in his 20th year this season, as the very popular color analyst for Padres television broadcasts on FOX Sports San Diego.
As a former MLB Pitcher, Mark is no stranger to San Diego baseball. Grant pitched for the Padres from 1987 through July 1990.
Originally selected by the San Francisco Giants as the 10th pick in the first round of the 1981, Mark was drafted out of Joliet (IL) Catholic High School, IL. Mark played parts of eight Major League seasons with San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston , Colorado and Chicago Cubs affiliate organization. Grant went 22-32 with eight saves and a 4.31 ERA in 233 games (58 starts). He recorded a career-high eight wins and posted a 3.33 ERA for the Padres in 1989. Mark successfully exchanged his baseball glove for a microphone at KFMB Radio in 1994 as a sports anchor and talk show host, prior to officially retiring from Major League Baseball in 1995.
Mark Grants hallmark broadcasting career as a television baseball analyst began on Prime Sports' Padres broadcasts in 1996. Mark then joined Channel 4 San Diego upon its inception in 1997 and there he has remained, joining an esteemed team of partners including Mel Procter, Matt Vasgersian, Tony Gwynn and now Dick Enberg. In 2012, he was part of the on-air team that helped launch the new regional sports network, FOX Sports San Diego.
Grant and Vasgersian became memorable fan favorites, with their colorful commentary and humor. During their play-by-play, Mark and Matt frequently tried to name off other current or past athletes or famous people that a certain ballplayer may remind them of. Mark’s style of color commentary along with his humorous on-air antics have made "Mud" (a nickname given early in his playing career by Giants coach Danny Ozark in reference to Mudcat Grant) a favorite with Padres fans. When a player hits a home run, particularly in a dramatic situation, Grant will often say "Put another notch in the shillelagh for (player name)". Grant popularized the shillelagh as a rally call in San Diego during the 2005 season, specifically during the month of May, which saw the Padres go a franchise-best 22-6 during that month. Mark has also coined such phrases as "Shillelagh power," "F.O.P" (short for "full of Padres," used when the bases are loaded by the Padres), and "that's some kinda nice", which is now his trademark phrase for all things good. Fans and players alike know Mark for his infectious humor, enthusiasm and dedication to the Padres organization.
Grant is active in the community, currently serving on the board of trustees for the Rady Children's Hospital Foundation. He has been associated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of San Diego since 1987, and also works with the Down Syndrome Association of San Diego and its annual Buddy Walk. Additionally, he serves as a spokesperson for St. Madeleine Sophie's Center in El Cajon, a vocational and educational center for developmentally disabled adults. In 1997, Mark was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Alpine, where he continues to successfully lead the annual “Curly Collier Memorial Golf Tournament”.
As a sought-after host , guest speaker and media spokesperson, Mark has partnered with many of San Diego and East County’s high profile organizations and enterprises, including:
Grant and his wife, Mary, reside in Alpine with their daughter, Alexis, and two sons, Andrew and Aidan. Mark continues to pursue his successful broadcasting and endorsement career, while promoting all things “Some Kinda Nice”.