Ray Sanders
Encyclopedia
Raymond Floyd Sanders was a professional baseball
player. Primarily a first baseman
, he played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball
between 1942 and 1949.
in 1938. From 1939-41 he was named to his league's all-star team as either a starter or honorable mention each year.
Following the 1941 season, Cardinals general manager
Branch Rickey
traded future Hall of Fame
first baseman Johnny Mize
to the San Francisco Giants
, opening a spot for Sanders. Sanders made his MLB debut for the Cardinals on April 14, 1942. He and Johnny Hopp
split time at first base through mid August, with Hopp receiving the lion's share of playing time from that point on, as well as starting all five games in the 1942 World Series
, which the Cardinals won over the New York Yankees
.
Sanders became the Cardinals full-time first baseman in 1943, with Hopp moving to a utility role. The Cardinals won their second straight National League
pennant
, but lost a rematch with the Yankees in the 1943 World Series
in five games. In their lone win in Game Two, Sanders followed Whitey Kurowski
's home run with one of his own, which wound up being the margin of victory in the 4-3 win.
In 1944, Sanders had his best year, finishing 15th in the voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He set career highs in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, helping the Cardinals to return to the 1944 World Series
. This time playing against the St. Louis Browns
in their only World Series appearance, Sanders hit a home run in Game Five to help the Cardinals to a 2-0 win, with the Cardinals also winning Game Six to close out the Series.
In 1945, the Cardinals lost several of their star players, most notably Stan Musial
, to World War II
service, and failed to return to the World Series, finishing three games behind the Chicago Cubs
. When Musial returned in 1946, the team intended to make him their regular first baseman. To make room, Sanders' contract was sold to the Boston Braves
for $25,000.
and missed the rest of the season. Hopp, who had also been acquired by the Braves during the previous offseason, once again filling in for him. Sanders, whose arm had been broken in three places missed the entire 1947 season as well. Meanwhile, Earl Torgeson
had entrenched himself as the Braves' starting first baseman in the interim.
On March 6, 1948, Sanders was involved in yet another trade centering around a future Hall of Famer. The Brooklyn Dodgers
had used Jackie Robinson
as a first baseman in 1947, but in 1948 the decision was made to move him to his more natural position as a second baseman
. To make room, their 1947 second baseman, Eddie Stanky
, was traded to the Braves for Sanders, Bama Rowell
and $40,000. Sanders did not stay in the Dodgers organization long however, as he was returned to the Braves on April 18 for $60,000, partially because he was "damaged goods" since his arm still hadn't healed fully.
Sanders began the 1948 season in the minor leagues, first with the Pacific Coast League
's Seattle Rainiers
. When he was unable to get playing time due to Seattle's high level of talent, he was reassigned to the Class A Hartford Chiefs. He finally returned to the major leagues in September, appearing in five games, all as a pinch hitter
. Despite his lack of playing time, he was on the Braves' roster for the 1948 World Series
due to injuries to Jeff Heath
and Jim Russell
. In his lone appearance in the Series, he made the last out of Game Two off Bob Lemon
.
Sanders made the Braves as a bench player in 1949, but again missed most of the season due to injury. He broke his wrist during spring training, and wound up playing just nine games, his last in the major leagues, with his final game coming on September 1. After spending 1950 with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
, he retired.
. He was married to Bernice Magre of Crystal City, Missouri for 40 years, and they had a daughter (Sandra) and a son (James). Sanders died in an automobile accident in Washington, Missouri
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. Primarily a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, he played all or part of six seasons in 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...
between 1942 and 1949.
Cardinals
Sanders was originally signed by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in 1938. From 1939-41 he was named to his league's all-star team as either a starter or honorable mention each year.
Following the 1941 season, Cardinals general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
traded future Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
first baseman Johnny Mize
Johnny Mize
John Robert "Johnny" Mize was a baseball player who was a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees...
to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, opening a spot for Sanders. Sanders made his MLB debut for the Cardinals on April 14, 1942. He and Johnny Hopp
Johnny Hopp
John Leonard Hopp was a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. He was an All-Star in 1946....
split time at first base through mid August, with Hopp receiving the lion's share of playing time from that point on, as well as starting all five games in the 1942 World Series
1942 World Series
The 1942 World Series featured the defending champion New York Yankees against the St. Louis Cardinals, with the Cardinals winning the Series in five games for their first championship since and their fourth overall....
, which the Cardinals won over the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
Sanders became the Cardinals full-time first baseman in 1943, with Hopp moving to a utility role. The Cardinals won their second straight National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
, but lost a rematch with the Yankees in the 1943 World Series
1943 World Series
The 1943 World Series matched the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees, in a rematch of the 1942 Series. The Yankees won the Series in five games for their tenth championship in 21 seasons. It was Yankees' manager Joe McCarthy's final Series win...
in five games. In their lone win in Game Two, Sanders followed Whitey Kurowski
Whitey Kurowski
George John Kurowski was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals . Kurowski batted and threw right-handed. He debuted on September 23, 1941, and played his final game on October 1, 1949...
's home run with one of his own, which wound up being the margin of victory in the 4-3 win.
In 1944, Sanders had his best year, finishing 15th in the voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He set career highs in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, helping the Cardinals to return to the 1944 World Series
1944 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
. This time playing against the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in their only World Series appearance, Sanders hit a home run in Game Five to help the Cardinals to a 2-0 win, with the Cardinals also winning Game Six to close out the Series.
In 1945, the Cardinals lost several of their star players, most notably Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
, to 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...
service, and failed to return to the World Series, finishing three games behind the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. When Musial returned in 1946, the team intended to make him their regular first baseman. To make room, Sanders' contract was sold to the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for $25,000.
Braves
Sanders began the 1946 season as the Braves' regular first baseman, but he suffered a severe arm injury in August in a collision with Erv DusakErv Dusak
Ervin Frank "Four Sack" Dusak was an American Major League Baseball player. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938 and got his nickname from a poem a fan wrote after he hit a home run in the minors. He was very briefly with the 1941 Houston Buffaloes of the...
and missed the rest of the season. Hopp, who had also been acquired by the Braves during the previous offseason, once again filling in for him. Sanders, whose arm had been broken in three places missed the entire 1947 season as well. Meanwhile, Earl Torgeson
Earl Torgeson
Clifford Earl Torgeson was an American, left-handed hitting and throwing first baseman in Major League Baseball...
had entrenched himself as the Braves' starting first baseman in the interim.
On March 6, 1948, Sanders was involved in yet another trade centering around a future Hall of Famer. The Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
had used Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
as a first baseman in 1947, but in 1948 the decision was made to move him to his more natural position as a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
. To make room, their 1947 second baseman, Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
, was traded to the Braves for Sanders, Bama Rowell
Bama Rowell
Carvel William "Bama" Rowell born in Citronelle, Alabama was a second baseman and outfielder for the Boston Bees/Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies ....
and $40,000. Sanders did not stay in the Dodgers organization long however, as he was returned to the Braves on April 18 for $60,000, partially because he was "damaged goods" since his arm still hadn't healed fully.
Sanders began the 1948 season in the minor leagues, first with the 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...
's Seattle Rainiers
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
. When he was unable to get playing time due to Seattle's high level of talent, he was reassigned to the Class A Hartford Chiefs. He finally returned to the major leagues in September, appearing in five games, all as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
. Despite his lack of playing time, he was on the Braves' roster for the 1948 World Series
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
due to injuries to Jeff Heath
Jeff Heath
John Geoffrey Heath was a Canadian left fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Cleveland Indians. He was one of the American League's most promising power hitters of the late 1930s and early 1940s, twice leading the AL in triples, and batting at least .340 with over...
and Jim Russell
Jim Russell (baseball)
James William Russell was an outfielder in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers. He played in the majors from 1942 to 1951.- Background :...
. In his lone appearance in the Series, he made the last out of Game Two off Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon
Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
.
Sanders made the Braves as a bench player in 1949, but again missed most of the season due to injury. He broke his wrist during spring training, and wound up playing just nine games, his last in the major leagues, with his final game coming on September 1. After spending 1950 with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (minor league baseball team)
The Milwaukee Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played in the American Association from 1902 through 1952.-A Milwaukee Tradition:...
, he retired.
Later life
Well after his playing days, Sanders went into scouting with the Cleveland IndiansCleveland 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...
. He was married to Bernice Magre of Crystal City, Missouri for 40 years, and they had a daughter (Sandra) and a son (James). Sanders died in an automobile accident in Washington, Missouri
Washington, Missouri
Washington is a city on the Missouri River in Franklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 13,243 at the 2000 census. It is the corn cob pipe capital of the world, with Missouri Meerschaum located in Washington.-Geography:...
.