Born in Gorham, Illinois, Grace entered pro ball in 1935. He joined the Browns in September 1938 after three seasons with the Class A1Memphis Chicks. After three partial seasons with St. Louis, he spent the entire 1941 campaign with the Browns and batted .309 with 112 hits. Called to World War II military service after that season, he served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. Upon returning to baseball, he spent two more full seasons in the majors, appearing in 125 games in 1946 in a season split between the Browns and Senators, then in 78 contests for Washington in 1947. His minor league career continued in the top-level Pacific Coast League in 1953. He briefly managed in the Chicago Cubs' farm system with the 1966 Duluth-Superior Dukes.