Ray Narleski

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ray Narleski
Pitcher
Born: November 25, 1928 (1928-11-25) (age 79)
Camden, New Jersey
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 17, 1954
for the Cleveland Indians
Final game
September 13, 1959
for the Detroit Tigers
Career statistics
Win-Loss     43-33
ERA     3.60
Strikeouts     454
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • AL All-Star: 1956, 1958
  • Major League lead in saves with 19 in 1955
  • 9-1 in 60 games with the Indians in 1955
  • 1.52 ERA in 32 games with the Indians in 1956

Raymond Edmond Narleski (born November 25, 1928 in Camden, New Jersey) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Cleveland Indians (1954-58) and Detroit Tigers (1959). He batted and threw right-handed.

In a six-season career, Narleski posted a 43-33 record with 454 strikeouts, a 3.60 ERA, and 58 saves in 702 innings. He made the American League All-Star team in 1956 and 1958.

Narleski was an overpowering pitcher with a blazing fastball which he mixed with a sharp-breaking curve and a change-up that can kept hitters guessing. Unfortunately, Narleski had a simple problem: he was overshadowed by one of the greatest pitching staffs in major league history, the Indians Big Four Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. Nevertheless, in his rookie season Narleski posted 13 saves for the 1954 AL Champions. In 1955 he went 9-1 and led the league with 19 saves and 60 appearances, and in 1957 he finished 11-5 with 16 saves. At this time, he gradually joined the starting rotation.

In 1958 Narleski went 13-10 in 44 games, 24 as a starter. At the end of the season he was sent to Detroit along with bullpen teammate Don Mossi, in the same trade that brought Billy Martin to the Indians. Hampered by shoulder problems in 1959, Narleski finished 4-12 with a 5.78 ERA and five saves in 42 games. He retired for good at the end of the season.

Narleski was selected to the Top 100 Greatest Indians Roster[1] as part of the club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2001.

Contents

[edit] Fact

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Top 100 Greatest Cleveland Indians Players. Cleveland State University Library. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.

[edit] External links


This biographical article relating to a 1950s baseball pitcher is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.