Johnny Ray

From BR Bullpen

John Cornelius Ray

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
School Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, University of Arkansas
High School Chouteau High School
Debut September 2, 1981
Final Game September 30, 1990
Born March 1, 1957 in Chouteau, OK USA

[edit] Biographical Information

A graduate of Chouteau High School in Chouteau, OK, Johnny Ray played baseball, basketball and football and was all-state in basketball and football, but suprisingly not in baseball. His father taught him to switch hit. He was at the University of Arkansas at the same time as Kevin McReynolds and Ronn Reynolds.

Johnny Ray played second base at a time when there were a number of good young second basemen in the National League, including Ryne Sandberg, Steve Sax and Juan Samuel, which is a reason why he never made the All-Star team while he played in the National League. When he moved to the American League, he was on the All-Star team in 1988.

Ray led the league in doubles in 1983 and 1984, and was second in the league in doubles in 1988.

Defensively, he had good range factors in his National League days, but Manny Trillo and Ryne Sandberg were winning the Gold Glove awards at the time.

After his major league days he played for the Yakult Swallows in Japan. He led the Central League in doubles in 1991.