97 Blazer starting problems

I have 97 2WD BlazerLS, about 145,000 miles on it.

A couple months ago, I noticed that the truck was a little hard to crank-it would turn over but starter would make sort of a "grinding" noise, but only at times. Since it was an intermittent problem, I kept putting off replacing the starter until yesterday when it consistently had problems and finally killed the battery. (lights would hardly come on, no buzzers etc).
So this afternoon, I put in a new starter and a new battery. Everything fired right up the first few times, but now I notice a little hesitation, like the starter is struggling just a little to turn the engine over.
What should I check next?

Thanks in advance!
-Mike

Check your battery cables and make sure they are good and not corroded or worn. If you have a good battery and a new starter, my next place would be to look at the cables.

I'll try that...thanks!

Cables look good...is there a relay somewhere that could be acting up?

Cables look good...is there a relay somewhere that could be acting up?

Relays are usually on or off.
Make sure the alt is charging good.
Up around 14 volts with everything turned on and engine our a1K RPM.
And if you have a amp meter check starter amp draw.

Alternator is putting out 14 volts and the battery looks good.
I had checked the battery when starting,the meter read .04 volts (but of course it was starting fine then)

Somebody suggested that maybe I've got a bad engine ground somewhere-maybe that's why the problem is so intermittent. The ones I can find are all good and tight where they attach to the frame, though maybe the problem is at the other end of the wire (?)
After everything that has been replaced and checked, I don't know what else to look at.