Ray Durham

Ray Durham

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 170 lb.
• High School Harding University High School
• Debut April 26, 1995
• Final Game September 28, 2008
• Born November 30, 1971 in Charlotte, NC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Ray Durham is a second baseman who played 14 seasons in the major leagues. He had one of his best seasons in 2006, with career highs in home runs and slugging. Although he had a good year with the bat in 2008, he received no major league offers over the following winter and retired.

Durham spent his first 7 2/3 years with the Chicago White Sox, who had signed him in 1990 as a 15th round draft pick. He spent five years in the minors, not showing that he had clear major league ability until 1994 when he played for the Triple A division-winning Nashville Sounds, hitting .296, slugging .495, and stealing 34 bases in 45 attempts.

He came up to the Chicago White Sox in 1995 and became a regular that year, showing above-average range at second base. He collected his first Major League hit in his first Major League at bat. It was a bunt on Opening Day. His hitting was below league average at first but still fairly good for a middle infielder, but moved to above average (in terms of Adjusted OPS) in 1998, and each year after had, it was above average or average.

He never came close to leading the league in any offensive category, except in 1998 when he was 2nd in the league in Runs Scored. However, he was often in the top ten in categories such as triples and stolen bases. He won no Gold Gloves, but was on the All-Star team in 1998 and 2000. When he went deep twice on July 24, 2003 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was his fourth multi-homer game, and his first since October 5, 2001.

He played on three division winners, with the 2000 Chicago White Sox, the 2002 Oakland Athletics, and the 2003 San Francisco Giants. Through most of his career he was a lead-off hitter.

In his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame in 2014, he failed to receive a single vote and dropped off the ballot. His brother, Chad Durham, played in the minors for a time.

Notable Achievements

• 1995 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• 2-time AL All-Star (1998 & 2000)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (2001 & 2006)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 6 (1997-2002)