Chris Ray

Chris Ray
Cleveland Indians – No. 37
Relief pitcher
Born: January 12, 1982 (1982-01-12) Tampa, Florida
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 14, 2005 for the Baltimore Orioles
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Win–loss record	18–19
Earned run average	4.10
Strikeouts	230
Teams
Baltimore Orioles (2005–2009) Texas Rangers (2010) San Francisco Giants (2010) Seattle Mariners (2011)

Christopher Thomas Ray (born January 12, 1982 in Tampa, Florida) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently in the Cleveland Indians organization.

Early life and career

Ray graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida, and was drafted in the third round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft out of The College of William and Mary, where he started on their baseball team.

Professional career

Minor leagues

He spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons in the Orioles minor league system before being called up in June of 2005.

Baltimore Orioles

2005: Breaking into the Majors

In 2005, Ray allowed only two earned runs in just under 20 innings. However, during the month of August, Ray was optioned to the Orioles' Double-A affiliate, the Bowie Baysox. His stint at Bowie was brief, as he was called up again in late August. The second stint with the Orioles saw Ray allow 4 earned runs in 16 innings. Ray finished 2005 with a 2.66 ERA in 40 innings pitched over 41 games, compiling a record of 1-3 with 8 holds. Ray also compiled a 1.28 WHIP.

The Orioles coaching staff had been so impressed by Ray's 2005 season that they were considering him their closer of the future. But, since the Orioles have had little success with rushing prospects into big league roles, they planned to ease Ray into the closer role sometime in 2007. However, closer B.J. Ryan left the Orioles as a free agent to the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Orioles were unable to sign a closer on the free agent market to serve as a short term solution, causing Ray to be the Orioles' de facto closer.

2006

Ray became the full-time closer of Baltimore Orioles for the start of the 2006 season. Ray had a very successful first season as the closer for the O's. Ray compiled 33 saves with a 2.73 ERA and 51 strikeouts and allowed an opponent batting average of just .193. Given his success, the Orioles stuck with Ray as their closer for the 2007 regular season. However, his success would not carry over, resulting in a sub par year. During the 2007 season Ray's numbers dropped to 16 saves with a 4.43 ERA and 44 strikeouts.

Tommy John surgery

Ray underwent Tommy John surgery on August 17, 2007. In August 2008 he made nine rehabilitation appearances in the minor leagues, but did not pitch for the Orioles during the season.

Texas Rangers

Ray was traded to the Texas Rangers on December 9, 2009 for Kevin Millwood. He had 35 appearances and an ERA of 3.40.

San Francisco Giants

Ray was traded to the San Francisco Giants, along with pitching prospect Michael Main, for Bengie Molina on June 30, 2010.

On December 2, 2010, the Giants non-tendered Ray, making him a free agent.

Seattle Mariners

Ray signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on January 25, 2011. The deal included an invite to spring training. On August 1, 2011, Ray was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder latisimus dorsi. He was released on August 16.

Personal life

Ray is an avid homebrewer and released a collaborative charity beer with Fremont Brewing Company in July 2011, benefiting Operation Homefront. Named Homefront IPA, it is sold at Safeco Field, Fremont Brewing Company and various retail stores in the Seattle area.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)