A. Ray Smith
Encyclopedia
A. Ray Smith was a long-time baseball executive, best known for his ownership of the minor-league Tulsa Oilers franchise, which he later moved to Louisville, Kentucky
, where the team set minor league attendance records.
, he played football at, and received a business administration degree from, Indiana University
. With Clint Murchison, he co-founded Tecon Industries, a construction company predecessor of Standard Industries. He supervised the company's role in major construction projects around the world, including the St. Lawrence Seaway and the widening of the Panama Canal
. During World War II
, he was a colonel in the 8th Air Force Corps of Engineers
. He moved to Tulsa
in 1958, and bought out Murchison's interest in Standard Industries in 1961. In February of that same year, he and a partner, Grayle Howlett bought the Tulsa Oilers
; Smith's initial investment was $25,000. A few months later, in July 1961, he bought out Howlett's interest and became sole owner.
The Oilers moved from the AA Texas League
to the AAA Pacific Coast League
in 1966. He contributed to the revival of the American Association
in 1969 and moved the Oilers to that league. From 1963 to 1966, he also owned one-tenth of the Cleveland Indians
, a Major League Baseball
team.
During Smith's ownership, the Oilers won several league titles but struggled with the deteriorating condition of their aging stadium, Oiler Park
. Unable to secure public support in Tulsa to replace or rebuild the ballpark, Smith ultimately moved the Oilers to New Orleans, Louisiana
in 1977, renaming the team the New Orleans Pelicans
, and then to Springfield, Illinois
in 1978 as the Springfield Redbirds.
After the 1981 season, he again moved the team, to Louisville, Kentucky
, where they became the Louisville Redbirds (later the Louisville RiverBats and now the Louisville Bats
). The team was a great success in Louisville, setting minor league attendance records. Smith was named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News
in 1983.
In 1985, he bid on the Cincinnati Reds
, however he was outbid by Marge Schott
.
After the 1986 season, Smith sold the Redbirds. He then attempted to bring baseball to St. Petersburg, Florida
, but was unable to bring that goal to fruition.
He also served on the board of the Anaheim Angels for seven years.
song Emily Smith.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, where the team set minor league attendance records.
Biography
Born in Dugger, IndianaDugger, Indiana
Dugger is a town in Cass Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, United States. The population was 955 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Dugger is located at ....
, he played football at, and received a business administration degree from, Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
. With Clint Murchison, he co-founded Tecon Industries, a construction company predecessor of Standard Industries. He supervised the company's role in major construction projects around the world, including the St. Lawrence Seaway and the widening of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was a colonel in the 8th Air Force Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
. He moved to Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
in 1958, and bought out Murchison's interest in Standard Industries in 1961. In February of that same year, he and a partner, Grayle Howlett bought the Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
; Smith's initial investment was $25,000. A few months later, in July 1961, he bought out Howlett's interest and became sole owner.
The Oilers moved from the AA Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
to the AAA Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
in 1966. He contributed to the revival of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
in 1969 and moved the Oilers to that league. From 1963 to 1966, he also owned one-tenth of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team.
During Smith's ownership, the Oilers won several league titles but struggled with the deteriorating condition of their aging stadium, Oiler Park
Oiler Park
Oiler Park, also known as Texas League Park and Driller Park, was a stadium located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds, it was primarily used for baseball and was the home of the Tulsa Oilers until that team was moved to New Orleans and replaced by the Tulsa Drillers after...
. Unable to secure public support in Tulsa to replace or rebuild the ballpark, Smith ultimately moved the Oilers to New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
in 1977, renaming the team the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans were a Minor league professional baseball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Team history:Founded in 1887, the Pelicans became part of the Southern Association in 1901...
, and then to Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
in 1978 as the Springfield Redbirds.
After the 1981 season, he again moved the team, to Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, where they became the Louisville Redbirds (later the Louisville RiverBats and now the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
). The team was a great success in Louisville, setting minor league attendance records. Smith was named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
in 1983.
In 1985, he bid on the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, however he was outbid by Marge Schott
Marge Schott
Margaret Unnewehr Schott was the managing general partner, president and CEO of the National League's Cincinnati Reds franchise from 1984 to 1999...
.
After the 1986 season, Smith sold the Redbirds. He then attempted to bring baseball to St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, but was unable to bring that goal to fruition.
He also served on the board of the Anaheim Angels for seven years.
Family
His daughter, Emily Smith, was the inspiration for the Leon RussellLeon Russell
Claude Russell Bridges , known professionally as Leon Russell, is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music....
song Emily Smith.
External links
- A. Ray Smith at Baseball-reference.com