Johnny Ray, baseball player, 1981-1990

Johnny Ray

Born: 3/1/1957 in Chouteau, OK, USA

MLB Debut: 1981-09-02 | Final Game: 1990-09-30

Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 170 lbs

Full name: John Cornelius Ray

Biography

Johnny Ray, born in 1957, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1981 until his retirement on September 30, 1990. Over his 9-year career, Ray played in 1,353 games, establishing himself as a reliable hitter with a career batting average of .290. He accumulated 1,502 hits, including 53 home runs and 594 runs batted in, while also showcasing his speed on the base paths with 80 stolen bases. Ray's consistent performance earned him recognition as the TSN Rookie Player of the Year and a selection to the All-Star Game during his career. Ray's playing style was characterized by his ability to hit for average and his versatility on the field, making him a valuable asset to his teams. He played during a transformative era in baseball, where offense began to take a more prominent role in the game. His contributions on the field not only reflected his personal talent but also highlighted the increasing emphasis on offensive production in the late 20th century. Johnny Ray remains a respected figure in baseball history, remembered for his achievements and the impact he had during his playing days.

Negro Leagues Career Statistics

Batting

PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG OPS
742.0 637.0 111.0 161.0 12.0 6.0 3.0 30.0 85.0 5.0 9.0 0.253 0.350 0.305 0.655

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1353 5188 604 1502 294 36 53 594 80 353 329 0.290 0.333 0.391 0.724 1007.1

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 1277 1219 2682 3836 118 828
OF 40 41 75 0 5 0

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 1277
Left Field 40
Designated Hitter 8

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1988 Player of the Week Week of 1988-04-22
1988 TSN All-Star 2B
1986 Player of the Month April
1986 Player of the Week Week of 1986-04-11
1985 Player of the Week Week of 1985-10-04
1984 Player of the Week Week of 1984-09-21
1984 Player of the Week Week of 1984-08-10
1983 Silver Slugger 2B
1982 TSN Rookie Player of the Year

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1990 CAL AL $1,125,000
1989 CAL AL $850,000
1988 CAL AL $732,000
1987 PIT NL $807,000
1986 PIT NL $757,000
1985 PIT NL $632,000
Total Career Earnings $4,903,000

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
University of Arkansas Fayetteville AR 1978, 1979

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1982 Rookie of the Year NL 2nd 57.0 120 6