Ray Moore

Raymond Leroy Moore
(Farmer or Old Blue)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 205 lb.
• High School Frederick Sasscer High School
• Debut August 1, 1952
• Final Game September 6, 1963
• Born June 1, 1926 in Meadows, MD USA
• Died March 2, 1995 in Clinton, MD USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Ray Moore was a fastballing righthander who did not strike out many batters. Today, he wouldn't be considered a "control specialist" as he was then, as he walked as many as 112 batters in a season.

He enlisted in the Army in 1945 and served in the Philippines. He made his major league debut in 1952, pitching in 14 games for the pennant-winning Brooklyn Dodgers but not appearing in post-season play. Years later, in 1959, he would appear against the Dodgers in the World Series.

On June 28, 1958, Moore threw the White Sox's fourth consecutive shutout, which set an American League record. In 1959, Moore saw the only postseason action of his career, as his White Sox battled the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Moore only appeared in one inning in the World Series, striking out one and giving up a hit - a home run to Chuck Essegian.

He was purchased from the White Sox by the Washington Senators a little way into the 1960 season, and it was with the Senators and Minnesota Twins (the Senators relocated to Minnesota after 1960) that he became one of the better closers in the league, ranking from 1960 to 1962 third, fourth and seventh in the league in saves, respectively.

Moore finished up his career in 1963, playing his final game on September 6th against the Chicago White Sox, striking out the last batter he faced - Cam Carreon.

Interestingly, the pitcher who is statistically most similar to Moore according to the similarity scores was at two points in his career a teammate of Moore's. That pitcher was former All-Star Mike Fornieles, who was Moore's teammate in 1956 and 1957 when he was with the Baltimore Orioles, and 1963 when he was with the Twins. Another interesting note is that both Moore and Fornieles ended their big league careers after 1963.

Moore died on March 2, 1995 in Clinton, MD. He is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1957)

Related Sites

• Ray Moore at the SABR Bio Project