Ray Knight, baseball player, 1974-1988

Ray Knight

Born: 12/28/1952 in Albany, GA, USA

MLB Debut: 1974-09-10 | Final Game: 1988-10-02

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 185 lbs

Full name: Charles Ray Knight

Biography

Ray Knight, born in 1952, was a notable position player in Major League Baseball who had a career spanning from 1974 to 1988. Over his 15-year tenure, Knight played in 1,495 games, compiling 1,311 hits, 84 home runs, and 595 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .271. Known for his gritty style of play, Knight was particularly recognized for his contributions during pivotal moments, exemplified by his performance in the 1986 World Series, where he earned the World Series MVP award. His ability to deliver in clutch situations made him a valuable asset to his teams. Knight's versatility and skill were on full display during his time with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets, among others. He was selected as an All-Star twice, reflecting his status as one of the prominent players of his era. Throughout his career, Knight demonstrated not only offensive prowess but also a strong defensive presence, making him a well-rounded player who left a lasting impact on the game. His journey through the late 1970s and 1980s placed him amidst a transformative period in baseball, as the sport began to embrace new strategies and approaches to player development.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1495 4829 490 1311 266 27 84 595 14 343 579 0.271 0.321 0.390 0.711 -1101.8

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
15 61 5 17 2 0 1 7 3 9 0.279

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1986 NLCS NYN 6 24 1 4 0 0 0 2 1 5 0.167
1986 WS NYN 6 23 4 9 1 0 1 5 2 2 0.391
1979 NLCS CIN 3 14 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 2 0.286

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 339 313 2936 174 24 271
2B 23 9 31 28 2 5
3B 1021 894 694 1653 105 144
OF 10 3 8 1 0 0
SS 4 1 0 2 0 1

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 339
Second Base 23
Third Base 1021
Shortstop 4
Left Field 9
Right Field 1
Designated Hitter 39

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1988 DET AL $525,000
1987 BAL AL $600,000
1986 NYN NL $645,000
1985 NYN NL $560,000
Total Career Earnings $2,330,000

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1986 Most Valuable Player NL 14th 9.0 336 0
1982 Most Valuable Player NL 25th 1.0 336 0
1979 Most Valuable Player NL 5th 82.0 336 2