In an April 1887 preseason game against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Jefferson Street Grounds, Grant homered and was cited for his "remarkable fielding.

"[6] During the 1887 season, the 22-year-old batted .353, paced the IL with 11 home runs and 49 extra-base hits, and led Buffalo with 40 stolen bases.

In 1887, Jack Chapman, the Bisons' veteran manager, valued Grant's services at $5,000—a compliment when Chicago had recently sold superstar King Kelly to Boston for $10,000.

Despite significant racial turmoil that year, Buffalo forced the IL to rescind a proposed color line to keep Grant in town.

While with the Bisons, Grant led the team in batting average every year but was disliked by his teammates.

A middle infielder, mostly a second baseman, Grant had fielding skills widely praised as the best in the league.

[8] Grant is also notable for becoming the first black player to play on the same team in organized baseball for three consecutive seasons.