Ray Blades
From BR Bullpen
Francis Raymond Blades
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 7½", Weight 163 lb.
- Debut August 19, 1922
- Final Game September 25, 1932
- Born August 6, 1896 in Mount Vernon, IL USA
- Died May 18, 1979 in Lincoln, IL USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Ray Blades played ten seasons in the majors and was an above-average hitter. He appeared in three World Series. He also played six years in the minors and had a career as a minor league and major league manager.
From 1930 to 1932, Blades was a player/coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1933, he went down to the Cards' affiliate, the Columbus Red Birds and managed there through 1935, winning league titles in 1933 and 1934. In 1936, Blades moved over to the Rochester Red Wings of the International League, where he managed for three years. In 1939, he managed the Cardinals to a 92-61 record. He was replaced in 1940 with the Cardinals at 14-24.
In 1941, Blades managed the New Orleans Pelicans, the Cards' affiliate in the Southern Association. In 1942, he left the Cardinals organization, coaching for the Cincinnati Reds. In 1943, Blades found himself managing New Orleans again, this time for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He managed the St. Paul Saints from 1944 to 1946, and became a coach for the Dodgers in 1947 and 1948. Blades won his only game as interim manager in 1948. Blades also coached for the Cardinals again (1951) and the Chicago Cubs (1953-1956). Overall, Blades' teams went 107-85 in 1+ seasons as a manager in the majors and 909-755 in 11 minor league seasons.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1925)
- Won two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (1926 & 1931) (he did not play in the 1926 World Series)
| Preceded by Mike Gonzalez | St. Louis Cardinals Manager 1939-1940 | Succeeded by Mike Gonzalez |
