Gray humbled by Cherokee Nation roots

Rookie Jon Gray throws six strong innings, giving up only two runs on four hits while striking out 10 Brewers and walking threeDENVER -- Rockies pitcher Jon Gray's grandfather, who is of Cherokee descent, had some fun teaching Gray a few basics of the Native American tribe's language, like frequently used words and animal names.

"He's always been kind of a goofball -- he'll throw Spanish, Cherokee and English together, thinks it's pretty funny," Gray said.

But Gray knows there is sadness. By the time he arrived at the University of Oklahoma and took classes in Cherokee as part of his multidisciplinary studies major, he learned that the language is disappearing.

Had Gray not become a Major…