Jay Avrea

From BR Bullpen

James Epherium Avrea

Bats Right, Throws Right
Weight 175 lb.

Debut April 22, 1950
Final Game May 6, 1950
Born July 6, 1920 in Cleburne, TX USA
Died June 26, 1987 in Dallas, TX USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Right-handed pitcher Jay Avrea was signed out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds in 1938 and pitched his first pro baseball in the Georgia-Florida League in 1940. He was with both the Cordele Bees and the Jacksonville Tars and won only 2 games while losing 13. He wound up in the United States Navy in World War II.

Jay had delivered mail in the off season and around his tour of duty in the Navy in World War II so he decided to work for the postal service full time. But with hopes of fulfilling his dream of making it to the big leagues, he returned to pro ball and helped the Tulsa Oilers to the Texas League pennant in 1950.

A dozen years after first signing with the Reds, Avrea got the call to Cincinnati late in 1950 and made a couple of appearances out of the Reds bullpen before the season ended. Jay gave it another try in 1951, again with the Tulsa team, went 1-9 and retired from the game.

Jay's six-year minor league stint is one he could be proud of. The pitcher won 52 games and lost 53 with a 3.90 ERA. His first season (2-13) and his last in 1951 (1-9) did not do his record justice.

Avrea owned and operated a flower shop, Jay's Florists of Wynnewood for 25 years. The friendly cigar smoking Texan founded the Oak Cliff Optimist Little League and served as president of the Texas Old-Timers Professional Baseball Players Association.

He was elected to the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame prior to his death on June 26, 1987, at age 66 in Dallas.