Jeff Gray (1980s pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Edward Gray is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who played between 1988
and 1991
for the Cincinnati Reds
(1988) and Boston Red Sox
(1990–91). Listed at 6' 1", 175 lb., Gray batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies
in 1984 out of Florida State University
.
A forkball
specialist, Gray started his professional career in 1984 in the Phillies minor league
system, playing for them two years before joining the Cincinnati organization. In 1986, he posted a 14–2 record with a 2.35 ERA
and 15 saves
for Double-A Vermont, and in 1988, he went 8-5 with five saves and a 1.97 in 42 appearances for Triple-A Nashville
, gaining promotion to the Reds during the midseason. He recorded a 3.86 ERA in five games and did not have a decision, returning to Triple-A the next year. Then, he returned to Philadelphia before the 1990 season.
At the end of the 1990 spring training
, Gray was told by the Phillies that he had not made the club, as they asked him to go onto their Double-A Reading
. Gray rejected the offer and signed with Triple-A Pawtucket
, arriving to the Boston Red Sox during the midseason to become a significant contributor to the American League
division winners. Gray collected nine saves, but seven of them came in seven chances from August 19 through September 10 as he filled in for injured closer
Jeff Reardon
.
On July 30, 1991, Gray was preparing to go out onto the field for his daily routine. He never made it, as his right side went numb, and he suffered what was diagnosed as a kind of stroke
(CVA), ending what had been a brilliant season. One of the best middle relievers of the league at this time, he allowed only 39 hits
in 61 ⅔ innings
as he had a 2.34 ERA. On the other hand, opposing batters hit a .181 average
against him (LH
.200, RH .161), the best of any reliever but Brian Harvey
. He also went down in July and still finished third in the league with 19 holds
.
Gray missed the rest of the 1991 and 1992 seasons while recuperating from the stroke. He attempted to return to baseball over the following two seasons, but had lost a lot of velocity on his fastball and was never able to return to the majors.
Gray later returned to the game as a pitching coach. As of 2003, he was the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League
Reds. He is also co-owner of Beef O'Brady's Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida
along with former Red Sox teammate Jody Reed
.
In a three-season career, Gray posted a 4-7 record with a 3.33 ERA and 10 saves in 96 appearances, including a 3.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio (96-to-29) in 121 ⅔ innings of work.
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...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who played between 1988
1988 in baseball
See also: 1988 Major League Baseball season-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics ; Orel Hershiser, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dennis Eckersley...
and 1991
1991 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over Atlanta Braves ; Jack Morris, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Kirby Puckett*National League Championship Series MVP: Steve Avery...
for 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....
(1988) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1990–91). Listed at 6' 1", 175 lb., Gray batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in 1984 out of Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
.
A forkball
Forkball
The forkball is a type of pitch in baseball. Related to the split-fingered fastball, the forkball is held between the first two fingers and thrown hard snapping the wrist....
specialist, Gray started his professional career in 1984 in the Phillies minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
system, playing for them two years before joining the Cincinnati organization. In 1986, he posted a 14–2 record with a 2.35 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 15 saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
for Double-A Vermont, and in 1988, he went 8-5 with five saves and a 1.97 in 42 appearances for Triple-A Nashville
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
, gaining promotion to the Reds during the midseason. He recorded a 3.86 ERA in five games and did not have a decision, returning to Triple-A the next year. Then, he returned to Philadelphia before the 1990 season.
At the end of the 1990 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Gray was told by the Phillies that he had not made the club, as they asked him to go onto their Double-A Reading
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
. Gray rejected the offer and signed with Triple-A Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, arriving to the Boston Red Sox during the midseason to become a significant contributor to the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
division winners. Gray collected nine saves, but seven of them came in seven chances from August 19 through September 10 as he filled in for injured closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Jeff Reardon
Jeff Reardon
Jeffrey James Reardon , nicknamed "The Terminator" for his intimidating presence on the mound and 98 mph fastball, is a former professional baseball relief pitcher from 1979-1994 who played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati...
.
On July 30, 1991, Gray was preparing to go out onto the field for his daily routine. He never made it, as his right side went numb, and he suffered what was diagnosed as a kind of stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
(CVA), ending what had been a brilliant season. One of the best middle relievers of the league at this time, he allowed only 39 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 61 ⅔ innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
as he had a 2.34 ERA. On the other hand, opposing batters hit a .181 average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
against him (LH
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.200, RH .161), the best of any reliever but Brian Harvey
Brian Harvey
Brian Harvey is an English musician and formerly lead singer of pop band East 17.Harvey was born in Walthamstow, London, and attended Sir George Monoux School from 1988-90.-Career:...
. He also went down in July and still finished third in the league with 19 holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
.
Gray missed the rest of the 1991 and 1992 seasons while recuperating from the stroke. He attempted to return to baseball over the following two seasons, but had lost a lot of velocity on his fastball and was never able to return to the majors.
Gray later returned to the game as a pitching coach. As of 2003, he was the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
Reds. He is also co-owner of Beef O'Brady's Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
along with former Red Sox teammate Jody Reed
Jody Reed
Jody Eric Reed is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from 1987-1997. The 5'9" second baseman played with the Boston Red Sox from 1987–1992, and in 1990 he led the American League with 45 doubles and finished 10th in the AL with 173 hits...
.
In a three-season career, Gray posted a 4-7 record with a 3.33 ERA and 10 saves in 96 appearances, including a 3.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio (96-to-29) in 121 ⅔ innings of work.
Transactions
- Traded by Philadelphia along with John DennyJohn DennyJohn Allen Denny is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher from 1974 to 1986 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds. He won the Cy Young Award in 1983.-Career:Denny was born in Prescott, Arizona and attended Prescott High School...
to Cincinnati in exchange for Gary Redus and Tom HumeTom HumeThomas Hubert Hume is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies from 1977 to 1987...
(June 14, 1984) - Sent by Cincinnati to Philadelphia to complete an earlier deal for Bob SebraBob SebraRobert 'Bob' Sebra , is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1985-1990. Sebra played for the Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Milwaukee Brewers. He was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey.-External links:...
(September 6, 1989) - Signed as a free agentFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the Red Sox (April 7, 1990)
Sources
- Baseball Reference
- The Baseball Cube
- Retrosheet
- The Scouting Report: 1992, STATS, INC./John Dewan and Don Zminda editors, HarperPerennial Publishers.