Ray Petrzelka

Raymond J. Petrzelka last name listed as Peters in the 1951 Baseball Guide

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• School University of Notre Dame

• Born December 2, 1927 in Cedar Rapids, IA USA
• Died July 2, 2011 in Cedar Rapids, IA USA

Minors BR page

Biographical Information

Ray Petrzelka peaked at AAA in six seasons in the minor leagues.

He played college ball at the University of Notre Dame, where he was co-captain of the team in his senior year. After graduation, he signed with the Cleveland Indians and began his pro career in 1949 with the Green Bay Bluejays, playing shortstop and the outfield. He hit .238/?/.375. The next year, he was converted to a pitcher and went 16-7 for the Cedar Rapids Indians.

Petrzelka had a 16-7, 3.13 record for the 1950 Cedar Rapids Indians despite 128 walks in 204 innings. He also hit .258. He was third in the Three-I League in wins behind Jake Schmitt and Niles Jordan and 8th in ERA. He split 1951 between the Wichita Indians (12-3, 3.21) and Dallas Eagles (0-3). In 1952, he was with three different clubs in the Indians system - the Reading Indians (2-1), Dallas (0-1) and the Indianapolis Indians (0-1, 21 R in 8 IP).

In 1953, Ray finally got to spend all season with one club, the Tulsa Oilers. He posted a 6-9, 3.55 record in 42 outings (13 starts), walking 81 in 157 innings. The former position player batted .250. He ended his career in 1954, split between Tulsa (1-1, 4.30), the Nashville Volunteers and Memphis Chickasaws (1-1, 5.76 between the two clubs).

Overall, Petrzelka was 38-27 with a 3.68 ERA in 159 minor league games.

He retired with arm problems following the 1954 season.