Ray Murray

Ray Murray
Ray Murray
Runs batted in	80
Teams
	Cleveland Indians (1948, 1950–1951); Philadelphia Athletics (1951–1953); Baltimore Orioles (1954);

Raymond Lee Murray (October 12, 1917 – April 9, 2003) was an American

right-handed, stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed 204 pounds (93 kg). He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.^[1]

Major league career

Murray was a backup catcher to

minor league baseball in the San Francisco Giants

' organization.

Murray was a talented catcher with a big bat and a strong throwing arm. In his short career he allowed very few

innings caught)^[2] and quickly gained recognition as a gun slinger at the plate. Murray was known for his colorful antics with the umpires, which may have earned him the nickname "Deacon" for the way he preached to the umps. On one occasion, he stopped in the middle of a game and removed all of his catchers' gear to kneel at home plate and pray to the Lord to give the umpire eyesight because he must be blind, Murray was promptly ejected from the game.^[3]^[4]

Post-career life

After his baseball career Murray lived until his death in Fort Worth, Texas. He worked for many years for the Tarrant County sheriffs department as a warrant officer until his retirement. Murray raised two children, Buddy and Jill, he was involved in little league baseball for many years. He served as president of the Forest Hill youth association in the 1970s and managed several pony and colt league boys teams. Murray was also a very accomplished golfer carrying a scratch handicap up into his 50s, he was a longtime member of Glen Garden Country Club in Ft. Worth and also a winner of their club championship.

References

^ Baseball in Wartime.com
^ Retrosheet career fielding log for Raymond Lee Murray
^ Burks, Ned (April 28, 1954). "Fines". Baltimore Sun. p. 23.
^ Hatter, Lou (March 20, 1983). "Few victories, but a lot of laughs". Baltimore Sun. pp. B10.

External links

Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Retrosheet
Pura Pelota – Venezuela Baseball League
The Deadball Era Obituary
Ray Murray at Find a Grave

Ray Murray at SABR (Baseball BioProject)

[1] Baseball in Wartime.com

[2] Retrosheet career fielding log for Raymond Lee Murray

[3] Burks, Ned (April 28, 1954). "Fines". Baltimore Sun. p. 23.

[4] Hatter, Lou (March 20, 1983). "Few victories, but a lot of laughs". Baltimore Sun. pp. B10.

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