Ray Durham
Encyclopedia
Ray Durham nicknamed The Sugarman, is a former Major League Baseball
second baseman
.
A two-time All-Star
, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power. He is a 14-year major league veteran owning a .277 lifetime batting average
with 1,249 runs scored
, 2,054 hits
, 440 doubles
, 79 triples
, 192 home run
s, 875 RBI
and 273 stolen base
s in 1,975 career games.
, in Charlotte
in 1990, where he played baseball
and football
. He was on the state select baseball team and was an honorable mention All-American defensive back
. He did not attend college as he began playing minor league baseball with the Gulf Coast White Sox. Ray Durham was originally a 5th round pick by the Chicago White Sox
in . Durham has not played since the 2008 season and still resides in North Carolina with his wife Regina and their four children.
from to . Durham was a leadoff hitter during these years of his career. Durham established himself as one of baseballs better leadoff hitters with above league average on base percentage
s and averaging well over 20 stolen bases and 10 home runs per season. His performance from to 2002 was exceptional. By posting at least 15 home runs with 100 runs, 20 steals, a .450 slugging percentage and 65 RBI in three consecutive seasons, Durham became just the 10th player in baseball history to accomplish such a feat. Durham is in great company, with the list including Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays
, and Joe Morgan
, as well as current superstars Barry Bonds
and Alex Rodriguez
. Durham left Chicago as the club's all-time leader in leadoff home runs (20), while ranking fifth in steals (219), 7th in doubles (249) and extra base hit
s (408) and 8th in runs (784).
before the 2002 baseball trading deadline for right-handed pitcher
Jon Adkins
. Durham's hitting helped push the A's into the 2002 playoffs. The Durham deal was a prototypical "rent a player" trade that can occur at the trading deadline. The A's, who constantly rank among the bottom teams in baseball in player salaries, made a trade for the short-term playoff push. With the A's limited finances, it was well known in baseball circles that Durham would most likely re-sign elsewhere.
20.1m with the San Francisco Giants
with a $7m player option for a fourth year that was later exercised. The health Durham displayed during the earlier years of his career vanished. Between 1996 and 2002, Durham appeared in at least 150 games each season, but in he only appeared in 110 games and in he appeared in 120. Recurring hamstring
injuries and other injuries caused Durham to spend time on the disabled list
. The injuries also hampered Durham's success when he was on the field. Durham's running game and stolen bases dropped as Durham tried to protect his hamstrings from reinjury. Despite these injuries, Durham did post solid offensive numbers during his time in the line up.
Because of Durham's injuries that limited his speed and the recurring injuries to Giants outfielder
Moisés Alou
, Durham was given the opportunity to bat fifth in the batting order more often. Durham was batted fifth regularly in . In the 2005-2006 off-season, Durham adopted a new work out and strength conditioning routine. The result was a healthy Durham and perhaps his best offensive year in 2006 when in 137 games he batted .293 with career highs in slugging percentage (.538), home run
s (26), RBI (93).
Durham re-signed with the Giants for a two-year contract worth $14.5 million on December 2, 2006. Giants general manager Brian Sabean
lauded Durham for making an impressive transition from a lead off hitter to a middle of the order run producer.
After re-signing with the Giants, Durham struggled in . Durham called the season "embarrassing" and the "worst" of his career. Durham admitted that his defense has suffered because he was thinking about his hitting while on defense. Durham claims he has had trouble adjusting to the new strategy to pitch against him that includes throwing cutter
s inside and throwing curveball
s on the outside corner. Some Giants fans and radio personalities criticized Durham's performance in 2006 as being motivated by money because 2006 was Durham's contract year. Durham denied these claims and claimed that almost every year is a contract year.
On August 21, 2007, against Sergio Mitre
of the Florida Marlins
, Durham fouled a pitch at the plate that bounced up and hit his groin. He would go on to single
on the next pitch. "I was swinging at the first thing so I could sit down," Durham said. "Then, I end up with a knock and I had to run from first to third. It did not feel good".
On September 9, 2007, Durham hit a pinch-hit
three-run homer in the 8th inning to help San Francisco beat the Los Angeles Dodgers
4-2.
On June 12, 2008, Durham got his 2000th hit off Colorado Rockies
pitcher Greg Reynolds
.
for minor league pitcher Steve Hammond and minor league outfielder Darren Ford
.
Durham filed for free agency on November 1, 2008. He is mulling retirement after rejecting a minor league deal from the Washington Nationals
. He said the chance of him playing now is about 50-50.
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...
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...
.
A two-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power. He is a 14-year major league veteran owning a .277 lifetime batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 1,249 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 2,054 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 440 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 79 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 192 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 875 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
and 273 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 1,975 career games.
Personal life
He graduated from Harry P. Harding High School, which is now Harding University High SchoolHarding University High School
Harry P. Harding University High School was established in 1992 as a Math, Science and Technology school in Charlotte, North Carolina. International Baccalaureate was added to the established program in 1995....
, in Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
in 1990, where he played baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. He was on the state select baseball team and was an honorable mention All-American defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
. He did not attend college as he began playing minor league baseball with the Gulf Coast White Sox. Ray Durham was originally a 5th round pick by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in . Durham has not played since the 2008 season and still resides in North Carolina with his wife Regina and their four children.
Chicago White Sox (1995–2002)
Durham was a member of the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from to . Durham was a leadoff hitter during these years of his career. Durham established himself as one of baseballs better leadoff hitters with above league average on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
s and averaging well over 20 stolen bases and 10 home runs per season. His performance from to 2002 was exceptional. By posting at least 15 home runs with 100 runs, 20 steals, a .450 slugging percentage and 65 RBI in three consecutive seasons, Durham became just the 10th player in baseball history to accomplish such a feat. Durham is in great company, with the list including Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
, and Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, as well as current superstars Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
and Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
. Durham left Chicago as the club's all-time leader in leadoff home runs (20), while ranking fifth in steals (219), 7th in doubles (249) and extra base hit
Extra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
s (408) and 8th in runs (784).
Oakland Athletics (2002)
Durham was traded to the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
before the 2002 baseball trading deadline for right-handed 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...
Jon Adkins
Jon Adkins
Jonathan Scott Adkins is a Major League Baseball area scout for the Boston Red Sox, covering the Ohio River Valley...
. Durham's hitting helped push the A's into the 2002 playoffs. The Durham deal was a prototypical "rent a player" trade that can occur at the trading deadline. The A's, who constantly rank among the bottom teams in baseball in player salaries, made a trade for the short-term playoff push. With the A's limited finances, it was well known in baseball circles that Durham would most likely re-sign elsewhere.
San Francisco Giants (2003–2008)
After the 2002 season, Durham signed a three-year contract $United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
20.1m with 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....
with a $7m player option for a fourth year that was later exercised. The health Durham displayed during the earlier years of his career vanished. Between 1996 and 2002, Durham appeared in at least 150 games each season, but in he only appeared in 110 games and in he appeared in 120. Recurring hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
injuries and other injuries caused Durham to spend time on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. The injuries also hampered Durham's success when he was on the field. Durham's running game and stolen bases dropped as Durham tried to protect his hamstrings from reinjury. Despite these injuries, Durham did post solid offensive numbers during his time in the line up.
Because of Durham's injuries that limited his speed and the recurring injuries to Giants outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Moisés Alou
Moisés Alou
Moisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
, Durham was given the opportunity to bat fifth in the batting order more often. Durham was batted fifth regularly in . In the 2005-2006 off-season, Durham adopted a new work out and strength conditioning routine. The result was a healthy Durham and perhaps his best offensive year in 2006 when in 137 games he batted .293 with career highs in slugging percentage (.538), home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s (26), RBI (93).
Durham re-signed with the Giants for a two-year contract worth $14.5 million on December 2, 2006. Giants general manager Brian Sabean
Brian Sabean
Brian R. Sabean is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the San Francisco Giants, a Major League Baseball franchise. He has held the job since 1997, when he replaced former General Manager Bob Quinn...
lauded Durham for making an impressive transition from a lead off hitter to a middle of the order run producer.
After re-signing with the Giants, Durham struggled in . Durham called the season "embarrassing" and the "worst" of his career. Durham admitted that his defense has suffered because he was thinking about his hitting while on defense. Durham claims he has had trouble adjusting to the new strategy to pitch against him that includes throwing cutter
Cutter (baseball)
In baseball, a cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball which breaks slightly toward the pitcher's glove side as it reaches home plate. This pitch is somewhere between a slider and a fastball, as it is usually thrown faster than a slider but with more motion than a typical fastball. Some...
s inside and throwing curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
s on the outside corner. Some Giants fans and radio personalities criticized Durham's performance in 2006 as being motivated by money because 2006 was Durham's contract year. Durham denied these claims and claimed that almost every year is a contract year.
On August 21, 2007, against Sergio Mitre
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...
of the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Durham fouled a pitch at the plate that bounced up and hit his groin. He would go on to single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
on the next pitch. "I was swinging at the first thing so I could sit down," Durham said. "Then, I end up with a knock and I had to run from first to third. It did not feel good".
On September 9, 2007, Durham hit a pinch-hit
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...
three-run homer in the 8th inning to help San Francisco beat the Los Angeles 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...
4-2.
On June 12, 2008, Durham got his 2000th hit off Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
pitcher Greg Reynolds
Greg Reynolds
Gregory Adam Reynolds is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.-Major League career:...
.
Milwaukee Brewers (2008)
On July 20, 2008, Durham, was traded to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee 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...
for minor league pitcher Steve Hammond and minor league outfielder Darren Ford
Darren Ford (baseball)
Darren Scott Ford , nicknamed The Bullet, is a FORMER professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants His nickname is derived from his ability to steal bases with great efficiency....
.
Durham filed for free agency on November 1, 2008. He is mulling retirement after rejecting a minor league deal from the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He said the chance of him playing now is about 50-50.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 2000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
External links
- Ray Durham 2007 Interview on Sidewalks EntertainmentSidewalks EntertainmentSidewalks Entertainment is a long-running, weekly American television series that is a combination of a talk show, magazine show and variety show featuring celebrity interviews, music, artistic and novelty acts, and rising performers...