Bugs Raymond

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Bugs Raymond in 1911

Arthur Lawrence "Bugs" Raymond (February 24, 1882 in Chicago, Illinois - September 7, 1912 in Chicago, Illinois), was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1904-1911. He would play for the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Giants.

Raymond, known for his wicked spitball, got his name because of his zany antics on the mound. What might have been a promising career was short-circuited by an addiction to alcohol. The only manager who could keep Raymond in line for any length of time was hard-nosed Giants' manager John McGraw. Even so, Raymond still managed to fall off the wagon several times. Eventually, McGraw got tired of Raymond's antics and released him. In 1912, after a short stint in an independent league, Raymond got into a bar fight and was badly beaten. He died a few days later of a fractured skull. He was 30 years old.