Ray Bare
Encyclopedia
Raymond Douglas Bare was a right-handed professional baseball
pitcher
. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball
with the St. Louis Cardinals
(1972, 1974) and Detroit Tigers
(1975–77).
, Bare was drafted four times before finally signing. In June 1967, he was drafted out of Southwest Miami High School by the Washington Senators
in the 14th round of the amateur draft
, but did not sign. In January 1968, and again in June 1968, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians
, but did not sign either time. He finally signed with the Cardinals after being drafted in February 1969.
of the American Association
. In 1974, Bare went 12-4 for the Oilers with a league-best 2.34 ERA. He was then called up to the Cardinals and had a 1-2 record (5.92 ERA) for the 1974 Cardinals.
, Bare was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. Bare was put into the starting rotation for the pitching-starved 1975 Detroit Tigers
-- a team that lost 102 games. Bare had an 8-13 record and a 4.48 ERA in 150-2/3 innings for the Tigers in 1975. On May 1, Bare got his first decision in a 17-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
; Bare gave five earned runs in just two innings, allowing two triples and two doubles (by Hank Aaron and Robin Yount
). The following week, Bare got his first win for Detroit, a 6-4 decision against the same Brewers' team.
On June 4, pitched a strong game against the Angels, giving up only six hits and two earned runs, but taking the loss as the Tigers scored only once. On June 19, Bare lost, 9-2, to Catfish Hunter
and the Yankees, as Bare gave up 13 hits and six earned runs in 6.2 innings. Bare took a tough loss on June 29, as he allowed only four hits and two earned runs in 7.2 innings, but the Orioles won, 2-1. On August 16, Bare pitched his best game of the season, a two-hit complete game shutout against the Angels, with the Tigers scoring eight runs to back him up.
with a 7-8 record and 3.70 ERA in 134 innings. On April 18, Bare got a win in his first start of the season, a 6-2 decision over the Angels. In his next start, Bare gave up six runs in 6.2 innings on April 23, then was crushed by the White Sox, 8-4, on April 30, giving up five earned runs in four innings. Then, after two poor starts, Bare pitched the best game of his career on May 7, a complete game one-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox' only hit off Bare was a single by Ralph Garr
. Continuing his inconsistent pitching, Bare did not make it out of the first inning in his next start, giving up four runs, including a home run by Graig Nettles
in two-thirds of an inning. On May 21, Bare failed to make it out of the first inning yet again, giving up three hits, two walks, and six runs (including a Doug DeCinces
home run) in 2/3 of an inning against the Orioles. Five days later, Bare held the same Orioles' squad to two earned runs and got the win in a 6-2 Tiger victory. Bare had a strong outing against the White Sox on July 22, 1976, as the Tigers won 5-1, and Bare allowed only five hits and one run in 7.1 innings.
Bare got his final major league win on September 10, 1976 at Fenway Park
. He shut out the Red Sox in a rain-shortened five-inning game, as the Tigers won, 1-0. Ben Oglivie
hit a home run to win it for Bare and the Tigers.
, Bare's ERA ballooned to 12.56 in 14.1 innings. On April 9, in the second game of the Tigers' season, Bare gave up five runs in two innings against the Royals, as the Royals went on to beat the Tigers, 16-2. On April 14, Bare pitched well, giving up only one earned run in seven innings, but the Tigers lost the game as John Hiller
gave up three runs in relief of Bare. In his third start of the season on April 19, Bare was blasted, allowing five earned runs in only 1.1 innings against the Red Sox. Bare got his final major league start on April 27, allowing six earned runs in four innings against the White Sox.
On May 3, Bare gave up three earned runs pitching in relief against the Rangers without retiring a single batter. With that, the Tigers had enough, and Bare was sent down to the minor leagues, and finished the season with the Triple-A Evansville Triplets
.
. He pitched for their top farm club, the Rochester Red Wings
, in , compiling a record of 7-13 with a 4.05 ERA in what proved to be his last professional season.
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....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He played all or part of five 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...
with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
(1972, 1974) and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1975–77).
Amateur career
Born in Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, Bare was drafted four times before finally signing. In June 1967, he was drafted out of Southwest Miami High School by the Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the 14th round of the amateur draft
1967 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
, but did not sign. In January 1968, and again in June 1968, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland 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...
, but did not sign either time. He finally signed with the Cardinals after being drafted in February 1969.
Early years with St. Louis
In 1972, Bare appeared in 14 games as a relief pitcher for the Cardinals, allowing only one earned run for a minuscule 0.54 ERA. Bare spent most of the 1973 and 1974 seasons with the Tulsa OilersTulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. In 1974, Bare went 12-4 for the Oilers with a league-best 2.34 ERA. He was then called up to the Cardinals and had a 1-2 record (5.92 ERA) for the 1974 Cardinals.
1975 season
On April 4, 19751975 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox ; Pete Rose, MVP*All-Star Game, July 15 at County Stadium: National League, 6-3; Bill Madlock and Jon Matlack, MVPs-Other champions:...
, Bare was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. Bare was put into the starting rotation for the pitching-starved 1975 Detroit Tigers
1975 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers compiled a record of 57-102, the fifth worst season in Detroit Tigers history. They finished in last place in the American League East, 37½ games behind the Boston Red Sox. Their team batting average of .249 and team ERA of 4.27 were the second worst in the American League...
-- a team that lost 102 games. Bare had an 8-13 record and a 4.48 ERA in 150-2/3 innings for the Tigers in 1975. On May 1, Bare got his first decision in a 17-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
; Bare gave five earned runs in just two innings, allowing two triples and two doubles (by Hank Aaron and Robin Yount
Robin Yount
Robin R. Yount is an American former Major League Baseball shortstop and center fielder. He spent his entire 20-year baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers . In 1999, Yount was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.-Early years:Yount was born in Danville, Illinois...
). The following week, Bare got his first win for Detroit, a 6-4 decision against the same Brewers' team.
On June 4, pitched a strong game against the Angels, giving up only six hits and two earned runs, but taking the loss as the Tigers scored only once. On June 19, Bare lost, 9-2, to Catfish Hunter
Catfish Hunter
James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
and the Yankees, as Bare gave up 13 hits and six earned runs in 6.2 innings. Bare took a tough loss on June 29, as he allowed only four hits and two earned runs in 7.2 innings, but the Orioles won, 2-1. On August 16, Bare pitched his best game of the season, a two-hit complete game shutout against the Angels, with the Tigers scoring eight runs to back him up.
1976 season
Bare returned to the Tigers' starting lineup in 19761976 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over New York Yankees ; Johnny Bench, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Veterans Stadium: National League, 7-1; George Foster, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Naranjeros de Hermosillo...
with a 7-8 record and 3.70 ERA in 134 innings. On April 18, Bare got a win in his first start of the season, a 6-2 decision over the Angels. In his next start, Bare gave up six runs in 6.2 innings on April 23, then was crushed by the White Sox, 8-4, on April 30, giving up five earned runs in four innings. Then, after two poor starts, Bare pitched the best game of his career on May 7, a complete game one-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox' only hit off Bare was a single by Ralph Garr
Ralph Garr
Ralph Allen Garr is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He batted left-handed and threw right...
. Continuing his inconsistent pitching, Bare did not make it out of the first inning in his next start, giving up four runs, including a home run by Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
in two-thirds of an inning. On May 21, Bare failed to make it out of the first inning yet again, giving up three hits, two walks, and six runs (including a Doug DeCinces
Doug DeCinces
Douglas Vernon "Doug" DeCinces is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the California Angels in 1982 to make room for Cal Ripken Jr. after having begun his career as the successor to Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson...
home run) in 2/3 of an inning against the Orioles. Five days later, Bare held the same Orioles' squad to two earned runs and got the win in a 6-2 Tiger victory. Bare had a strong outing against the White Sox on July 22, 1976, as the Tigers won 5-1, and Bare allowed only five hits and one run in 7.1 innings.
Bare got his final major league win on September 10, 1976 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. He shut out the Red Sox in a rain-shortened five-inning game, as the Tigers won, 1-0. Ben Oglivie
Ben Oglivie
Benjamin Ambrosio Oglivie Palmer is a former Major League Baseball left fielder for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and the Milwaukee Brewers . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes...
hit a home run to win it for Bare and the Tigers.
1977 season
In 19771977 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None*National League Championship Series MVP: Dusty Baker...
, Bare's ERA ballooned to 12.56 in 14.1 innings. On April 9, in the second game of the Tigers' season, Bare gave up five runs in two innings against the Royals, as the Royals went on to beat the Tigers, 16-2. On April 14, Bare pitched well, giving up only one earned run in seven innings, but the Tigers lost the game as John Hiller
John Hiller
John Frederick Hiller is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Detroit Tigers. After suffering a heart attack in 1971, he returned to the team and recorded 38 saves in – a major league record until 1983, and a team record until 2000...
gave up three runs in relief of Bare. In his third start of the season on April 19, Bare was blasted, allowing five earned runs in only 1.1 innings against the Red Sox. Bare got his final major league start on April 27, allowing six earned runs in four innings against the White Sox.
On May 3, Bare gave up three earned runs pitching in relief against the Rangers without retiring a single batter. With that, the Tigers had enough, and Bare was sent down to the minor leagues, and finished the season with the Triple-A Evansville Triplets
Evansville Triplets
The Evansville Triplets were a minor league baseball team of the American Association from to . In its last season, Evansville was the Triple-A farm team for the Detroit Tigers...
.
With the Orioles
The Tigers let Bare go after the season, and he was signed by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore 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...
. He pitched for their top farm club, the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, in , compiling a record of 7-13 with a 4.05 ERA in what proved to be his last professional season.