Ray Hayward

Raymond Alton Hayward

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• School University of Oklahoma
• High School Enid High School
• Debut September 20, 1986
• Final Game July 5, 1988
• Born April 27, 1961 in Enid, OK USA

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Biographical Information

College career

Prior to playing professional baseball, Hayward attended the University of Oklahoma. In 1980, he went 9-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 93 innings of work. The following year, he went 9-2 with a 1.70 ERA, striking out 75 batters in 69 innings. He appeared in only three games in 1982, going 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA. In his final college season - 1983 - he went 7-6 with a 3.40 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 98 innings of work.

The draft

Originally, he was drafted in the 12th round of the 1982 amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Choosing not to sign that time, he was drafted 10th overall in the 1983 amateur draft by the San Diego Padres, at which time he did choose to sign.

Professional baseball

Hayward began his professional career with the Beaumont Golden Gators, going 5-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings of work. He completed five and threw a shutout in 2 of the 10 games he started.

In 1984, Hayward pitched for the Las Vegas Stars, going 9-6 with a 4.87 ERA. In 26 games (24 starts), he had one complete game and one shutout. He struck out 91 batters in 129 1/3 innings of work.

Hayward did not play in 1985.

Again pitching for Las Vegas in 1986, Hayward went 9-11 with a 4.63 ERA in 26 games (25 starts). He earned a late September call-up, and on September 20th he made his big league debut. Making the start against Houston Astros ace Mike Scott, Hayward lasted only 1 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs. He'd start two more games that year, going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA overall.

1987 was Hayward's best minor league season since his professional rookie year. In 23 games (22 starts), he went 8-5 with a 3.10 ERA. In 142 1/3 innings, he struck out 115 batters. So impressive it was in fact that the Padres recalled him, and on June 10th he made his first big league appearance of the season. Over the span of a couple of weeks, he'd make four relief appearances, going 0-0 with a 16.50 ERA. In his first game back, he allowed six runs in an inning of work.

On February 12, 1988, Hayward was traded with Goose Gossage to the Chicago Cubs for Keith Moreland and Mike Brumley. He was again traded on March 17th, this time to the Texas Rangers for Dave Meier and Greg Tabor.

Pitching for the Oklahoma City 89ers, Hayward went 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in eight games. He earned an extended stay with the Rangers that season, starting 12 games and going 4-6 with a 5.46 ERA. Hayward pitched in his final big league game on July 5, 1988.

Although he would not play in the majors after 1988, he did continue to pitch in the minor leagues. Hayward did not play in 1989, however.

He pitched for the 89ers in 1990; Hayward went 5-9 with a 5.16 ERA in 89 innings.

1991 was Hayward's final professional season. He pitched for both the Tulsa Drillers and the 89ers, going a combined 3-6 with a 4.72 ERA in 76 1/3 innings.

Post-Playing Career

Hayward was a scout for the Detroit Tigers from 1994-1999, then became pitching coach at his alma mater, replacing Jackson Todd following the 1999 season and stayed through 2004. He was then a scout for the Miami Marlins in 2005-2012. Hayward returned to college as an assistant at Texas Tech University in 2013.