Grba began his professional baseball career in the Boston Red Sox' organization, and was traded to the Yankees in 1957.

After two years in the United States Army, Grba made his major league debut on July 10, 1959.

He last pitched in MLB in 1963, and worked in Minor League Baseball as a coach, scout, and manager from 1969 through 1971 and from 1982 through 1997.

[1] His father left the family when Eli was young and he was raised alone by his mother, who worked as a waitress during the day and in a factory at night.

[2] He made his professional debut in 1953 for the Salisbury Rocots of the Class D Tar Heel League, and was named an All-Star.

He led all pitchers in the PONY League in strikeouts, games started, and innings pitched.

[2] During spring training in 1957, the Red Sox traded Grba and Gordie Windhorn to the New York Yankees for Bill Renna.

[9] The Angels sold Grba to the Hawaii Islanders of the Pacific Coast League during the 1963 season.

[10] Grba attempted to make a return to the major leagues in 1967 with the Chicago White Sox.

[13] Grba then joined the Philadelphia Phillies organization as a manager and pitching coach in the minor leagues and became a scout for five years, until retiring in 1997.