Ralph Beard

Note: This page is for Ralph William Beard, major league player in 1954. For other players with the same name, click here

Ralph William Beard

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 200 lb.
• School University of Cincinnati
• Debut June 29, 1954
• Final Game September 9, 1954
• Born February 11, 1929 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died February 10, 2003 in West Palm Beach, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

6'5" Ralph Beard was signed out of high school in 1947 by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was sent to the Hamilton Cardinals of the Pony League, where he went 3-6 for the year. He spent seven more seasons in the minors before getting his look at the major leagues. It was his only look as Ralph lost all four of his decisions in 14 games with the Cardinals in 1954. Beard is the only starting pitcher ever to have a season ERA+ over 100 with a winning percentage of .000 (minimum 10 starts). In his lone big league season, he posted a 111 ERA+.

Beard spent ten years in professional baseball (1947-1956). He appeared in eight leagues with eleven teams, putting together a fine minor league record. Ralph wound up winning 85 games and losing 83. He appeared in 318 games, pitching 1,488 innings, giving up 1,44 hits, 666 bases on balls with a 3.70 ERA. His best year came in 1951 with the Allentown Cardinals of the Interstate League where he won 13 while losing only 4 and had a 1.69 ERA. 1956 was his last active year in pro ball, finishing up with the Houston Buffaloes of the AA Texas League.

Ralph who worked in security at Pratt and Whitney, died February 10, 2003, at age 73 in West Palm Beach, FL.

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page