Johnny Ray (rayjo01)

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

BR page

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 surprisingly 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 NL in doubles in 1983 and 1984, and was second in the AL in 1988. He was a tough batter to strike out, leading the National League twice in the at-bats per strikeout ratio stat (1983 and 1985).

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.

Notable Achievements

• AL All-Star (1988)
• NL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1983)
• 2-times NL Doubles Leader (1983 & 1984)