Ray Durham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ray Durham |
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Durham with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008
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| Second baseman | |||
| Born: November 30, 1971 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 26, 1995, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 2008, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .277 | ||
| Hits | 2,054 | ||
| Home runs | 192 | ||
| Runs batted in | 875 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Ray Durham (born November 30, 1971) is a former professional baseball player. He played as a second baseman in Major League Baseball for 14 years. Ray was known for his strong hitting and speed. He finished his career with a .277 batting average. He also had 2,054 hits, 192 home runs, and 273 stolen bases.
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About Ray Durham's Life
Ray Durham grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He went to Harry P. Harding High School and graduated in 1990. While in high school, Ray was a talented athlete. He played both baseball and football. In football, he was an All-American as a defensive back.
Ray did not go to college. Instead, he started playing minor league baseball. The Chicago White Sox picked him in the 5th round of the 1990 draft. Ray retired from baseball in 2008. He now enjoys time with his wife, Regina, and their three children.
Ray Durham's Baseball Career
Playing for the Chicago White Sox (1995–2002)
Ray Durham started his Major League career with the Chicago White Sox. He played for them from 1995 to 2002. During these years, Ray was often the team's leadoff hitter. This means he was the first batter in the lineup. He was very good at getting on base. He also averaged over 20 stolen bases and 10 home runs each season.
From 2000 to 2002, Ray played exceptionally well. He hit at least 15 home runs and scored 100 runs. He also had 20 stolen bases and 65 run batted ins (RBIs). Only a few players in baseball history have done this for three years in a row. This list includes famous players like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. When Ray left the White Sox, he held several team records. He was the all-time leader in leadoff home runs with 20.
Joining the Oakland Athletics (2002)
In 2002, the White Sox traded Ray Durham to the Oakland Athletics. This trade happened before the baseball trading deadline. Teams often make trades like this to get players for a short time. These players help them try to reach the playoffs. Ray's hitting helped the A's make a strong push for the playoffs.
Ray was part of a special moment with the A's. The team won 20 games in a row in 2002. This was one of the longest winning streaks in baseball history. After the season, it was clear Ray would likely sign with another team. The A's did not have a lot of money to keep him.
Time with the San Francisco Giants (2003–2008)
After the 2002 season, Ray signed a contract with the San Francisco Giants. He signed for three years, with an option for a fourth. During his time with the Giants, Ray faced some challenges. He had several injuries, especially to his hamstring. From 1996 to 2002, he played in at least 150 games each year. But in 2003, he played only 110 games, and in 2004, he played 120. These injuries made it harder for him to run and steal bases.
Despite his injuries, Ray still hit well when he played. The Giants sometimes moved him to bat fifth in the batting order. This was because his speed was limited. In 2006, Ray had one of his best offensive years. He worked out differently and got stronger. He batted .293, hit 26 home runs, and had 93 RBIs. These were career highs for him.
Ray signed another contract with the Giants in 2006. The team's general manager praised him. He said Ray had changed from a leadoff hitter to a player who produced runs in the middle of the lineup.
In 2007, Ray had a tough season. He called it the "worst" of his career. He felt his defense suffered because he was thinking too much about his hitting. On August 21, 2007, something unusual happened. Ray fouled a pitch that bounced up and hit him in a sensitive area. He still managed to get a hit on the very next pitch. Ray said, "I was swinging at the first thing so I could sit down."
On June 12, 2008, Ray reached a big milestone. He got his 2000th career hit. This happened against Colorado Rockies pitcher Greg Reynolds.
Finishing with the Milwaukee Brewers (2008)
On July 20, 2008, Ray Durham was traded again. He went to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers gave up two minor league players for him. Ray became a free agent after the 2008 season. He decided to retire from baseball after turning down an offer to play in the minor leagues.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
