Ron Negray – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ron Negray’s baseball journey is the story of a talented pitcher who just couldn’t quite turn his minor league success into major league stardom. Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1930, Negray showed early promise and quickly caught the attention of Brooklyn Dodgers scouts. They signed him to a professional contract in 1949.

Negray played four seasons in Major League Baseball from 1952 to 1958, putting up a 6-6 record with a 4.04 ERA across 66 games for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. Even though his stats look modest, his path through professional baseball really offers insight into the challenges faced by players trying to break through during one of the sport’s most competitive eras.

He started as a high school star, going 31-3 as a pitcher, and finished with his last appearance in 1958. Negray’s story highlights the winding road so many players traveled through the minors, brief shots in the majors, and the personal grit needed to keep chasing a baseball dream.

He played during the final years of the Brooklyn Dodgers and witnessed their historic move to Los Angeles, getting a front-row seat to baseball’s changing landscape.

Early Life and Amateur Athletics

Ronald Alvin Negray was born February 26, 1930, in Akron, Ohio. He grew into one of the city’s most promising young athletes.

His childhood and quick stint in college showed off his talent in several sports, especially baseball and basketball.

Family Background and Childhood in Akron

Ronald Alvin Negray was the only child of Stephen and Mary Negray in Akron. Stephen worked for Goodyear Rubber Company, putting in 41 years there.

Mary took care of the home and the family.

The Negrays had strong Eastern European roots. Both parents were born in Pennsylvania, but three of Ron’s grandparents came from what was then Czechoslovakia in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Negray later called himself Slovak, proud of his heritage.

At 12, Ron made local news by finishing second in a ping pong tournament at Glover Playground. That early success hinted at the athletic achievements that would follow.

He soon moved on from ping pong and started making his mark in more traditional sports.

Athletic Achievements at Garfield High School

At Garfield High School, Negray stood out in both basketball and baseball. He led city champion teams in both sports, earning a reputation as one of Akron’s top high school athletes.

His basketball performance earned him all-city honors and honorable mention all-state recognition. Clearly, he had skills that reached beyond just the local level.

Baseball became Negray’s strongest sport in high school. As a pitcher over four years, he put up an incredible 31-3 record.

His senior year was especially impressive, with 115 strikeouts in just 66 innings.

The highlight? He threw a perfect game. That moment, along with his dominance on the mound, drew the attention of pro scouts.

He graduated from Garfield High School in 1948, closing out a remarkable prep career.

Brief Tenure at Kent State University

After high school in 1948, Negray briefly attended Kent State University. Staying local let him keep close to home while furthering his education.

His time at Kent State didn’t last long. Brooklyn Dodgers scout Phil “Lefty” Weinert signed him for a reported $5,000 bonus to report to spring training.

That was a significant bonus at the time, showing just how much the Dodgers valued his pitching ability.

Negray’s decision to leave Kent State was a big one. Instead of college, he chose pro baseball, reporting to spring training the next year and starting his minor league journey.

Professional Baseball Beginnings

Ron Negray’s path to professional baseball kicked off in 1948 after an outstanding high school career. Brooklyn Dodgers scouts noticed his talent, and he quickly started climbing the minor league system.

His rise showed both his natural ability and the tough road of developing as a pitcher in such a loaded organization.

Signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers

After Garfield High, Negray briefly attended Kent State University. But his baseball career took a turn when Brooklyn Dodgers scout Phil “Lefty” Weinert saw his potential and signed him for $5,000.

Negray’s high school record of 31-3 over four years spoke for itself. His senior year included 115 strikeouts in 66 innings and a perfect game.

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 185 pounds, the righty was set to report to spring training in 1949. That marked the start of his professional career with a powerhouse franchise.

Minor League Development Years

Negray started pro ball in 1949 with the Valdosta Dodgers in the Georgia-Florida League, the lowest rung in Brooklyn’s system. He had a fantastic debut, going 21-6 with a 2.17 ERA over 228 innings. That ERA was way better than the league average of 5.58.

Brooklyn general manager Branch Rickey noticed him during spring training in 1950. Rickey liked Negray’s pitch mix—fastball, curve, changeup, and even a slow curve.

But 1950 wasn’t easy. The Dodgers promoted him to Newport News in the Piedmont League, but a viral infection and a sore arm limited him to just 74 innings with a 3-4 record. He needed hospitalization and treatment at Johns Hopkins.

Impact in the Eastern and Western Leagues

In 1951, Negray split time between two Class A teams. He pitched for the Pueblo Dodgers in the Western League and the Elmira Pioneers in the Eastern League.

He logged 172 innings, showing his arm was healthier. Still, his 4.08 ERA and more walks than strikeouts revealed he needed to work on control.

The Dodgers promoted him to Triple-A St. Paul Saints in the American Association for 1952. He put up an 11-7 record with a 3.95 ERA in 180 innings, splitting time between starting and relieving. He walked 102 batters and struck out 102 as well.

Major League Career Overview

Ron Negray pitched in Major League Baseball across six seasons between 1952 and 1958. He compiled a 6-6 record with a 4.04 ERA in 66 games.

His career took him through three teams as the Brooklyn Dodgers became the Los Angeles Dodgers, with a solid stretch for the Philadelphia Phillies in between.

MLB Debut and Brooklyn Dodgers Tenure

Negray debuted on September 14, 1952, for the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 22. He tossed three scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, impressing manager Chuck Dressen. He arrived too late for World Series eligibility, though.

His teammates noticed him right away. Jackie Robinson even handed Negray his championship watch after the rookie got overlooked during the team’s pennant celebration.

Negray appeared in four games that season, including one start, but didn’t record a decision. Manager Dressen praised his “good, live fastball” and wished he could use him in the World Series.

1952 Debut Stats:

• Games: 4
• Innings: 11.0
• ERA: 1.64
• Strikeouts: 4

The Dodgers kept Negray on the 40-man roster for the next three years but sent him to Triple-A St. Paul each spring. He never made it back to the majors in 1953 and 1954, even with strong minor league numbers.

Philadelphia Phillies Seasons

The Philadelphia Phillies got Negray on June 7, 1955, in a trade with St. Paul. Manager Mayo Smith put him in the rotation right away, hoping for better pitching.

Negray picked up his first big league win on June 24, 1955, beating the Cincinnati Reds 8-6. He later called that victory his greatest thrill in the majors.

He shined brightest with a complete game, five-hit win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies moved him between starting and relief during his time there.

Philadelphia Phillies Stats (1955-1956):

• Games: 54
• Record: 6-6
• ERA: 3.84
• Strikeouts: 52

In 1956, Negray made 35 relief appearances and four starts. He took a 2-0 lead into the ninth against the Cubs on July 17 but lost the lead in a game that went 16 innings.

The Phillies liked his breaking stuff but weren’t so sure about his fastball, which was a bit different from what the Dodgers thought earlier.

Final MLB Years with the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers brought Negray back on April 5, 1957, in a trade that sent Chico Fernández to Philadelphia. The deal included Elmer Valo, some minor leaguers, and $75,000 in cash.

Negray spent most of 1957 in the minors but made the 1958 Los Angeles Dodgers roster. He pitched during the team’s first season on the West Coast.

His last MLB stint just didn’t go well. Negray appeared in four games as the team struggled, posting an 8.22 ERA in limited work.

Final MLB Appearance: May 9, 1958, at age 28

The Dodgers sent him back to St. Paul in May 1958, ending his major league career. Some team executives questioned his competitiveness, with a few saying he was “too nice a guy” for pro baseball.

Negray finished with 15 starts and 51 relief appearances over six seasons for three different franchises.

Statistical Analysis of MLB Performance

Ron Negray’s four-year MLB career ended with a 6-6 record and a 4.04 ERA across 66 games. His pitching stats show a versatile performer who could adapt to different roles, whether starting or relieving, and kept up steady strikeout numbers.

Pitching Metrics and ERA

Negray’s career 4.04 ERA shows how tough it was for a mid-1950s pitcher breaking into the majors. His best season came in 1955 with the Phillies, when he posted a 3.52 ERA over 71.2 innings.

His ERA bounced around during his career. In his 1952 debut with Brooklyn, he showed promise with a 3.46 ERA in limited innings. But 1958 with Los Angeles was rough, as he struggled to a 7.15 ERA in just 11.1 innings.

ERA by Season:

• 1952 (Brooklyn): 3.46
• 1955 (Philadelphia): 3.52
• 1956 (Philadelphia): 4.18
• 1958 (Los Angeles): 7.15

Strikeouts and WHIP Insights

Negray showed solid strikeout ability, with 81 strikeouts in 162.2 innings. His strikeout rate stayed steady, and 1956 was his best year, with 44 strikeouts in 66.2 innings.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.40 points to reasonable command. He walked 57 and gave up 170 hits in his career. His walk rate got better in his last seasons, showing improved control as he gained experience.

Negray’s best strikeout year was 1956, with 44 punchouts. That season really showed his knack for missing bats, especially out of the bullpen.

Role as a Starter and Reliever

Negray really showed off his versatility in his dual role as both a starter and a reliever. He started 15 games in his career and appeared in 66 total, finishing 2 games and picking up 3 saves along the way.

In 1955, he got a real chance to prove himself as a starter with Philadelphia. Out of his 19 appearances that year, he started 10 times and finished with a 4-3 record.

That season stood out as his best run as a regular in the rotation.

In 1956, Negray shifted mostly to relief work. He pitched in 39 games but started only 4, working primarily as a middle reliever and sometimes closing games out.

He managed to notch all 3 of his career saves during this flexible season with the Phillies.

Minor League Career After MLB

After his major league days ended in 1958, Ron Negray went back to the minors. He played for several teams, including the St. Paul Saints, and spent time in the American Association.

He kept pitching professionally until 1963, tacking on another five years to his baseball journey.

St. Paul Saints and the American Association

Negray joined the St. Paul Saints in 1957 while still part of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. That year, he split his time between St. Paul and the minor-league Los Angeles Angels.

He mostly worked as a starter and managed to win 12 games with those teams. The American Association gave him steady competition and plenty of playing time.

His performance in St. Paul proved he could still handle AAA-level hitters. The Saints stood among the top minor league clubs back then.

Montreal Royals Years

The search results just don’t have much about Ron Negray’s time with the Montreal Royals. Based on what’s out there, his post-MLB minor league career centered on other teams in the American Association.

Without solid details, it wouldn’t feel right to guess about his time or accomplishments with the Royals.

Toronto Maple Leafs Achievements

There’s no evidence in the available results that Ron Negray played for the Toronto Maple Leafs minor league team. The records show he kept playing in various minor league systems through 1963.

After leaving pro baseball in 1963, he started a sales career, selling athletic supplies and uniforms to high schools.

Negray wrapped up his minor league days with 113 wins and 98 losses, along with a 3.56 ERA over 371 games.

Legacy and Post-Baseball Life

Ronald Alvin Negray moved on from pro baseball and built a career selling sporting goods. He spent decades helping high school athletic programs all over Ohio.

In his later years, he stayed involved in his community and enjoyed a quieter life with his wife, Shelly.

Recognition and Honors

Negray’s baseball legacy really comes from being part of some historic moments, not just the numbers. He pitched in relief during the first-ever Los Angeles Dodgers game at Seals Stadium on April 15, 1958, which marked a big step in baseball’s westward move.

One of his most meaningful recognitions happened in his rookie year. Jackie Robinson noticed Negray got overlooked during the team’s pennant celebration, so Robinson handed him his own commemorative wrist watch.

Despite a modest 6-6 career record, Negray earned plenty of respect from teammates and coaches for his character.

Back in 1955, when the Phillies visited Pittsburgh, his hometown of Akron put together a special event for him. Local fans gave him a movie projector and a portable radio between games of a doubleheader.

Community Involvement and Later Years

After he retired from professional baseball in 1963, Negray jumped into a new chapter and started selling athletic supplies and uniforms to high school programs. For more than twenty years, he worked with Huston-Pugh, an Akron sporting goods company. He’d often autograph baseball gear for young players, which was a nice touch.

Negray kept close to the baseball world through his sales job. He regularly visited high school coaches and athletic departments all over Ohio. With his background in professional baseball, he really understood what young athletes needed.

He kept a pretty low profile during retirement. Negray lived quietly in New Franklin, Ohio with his wife Shelly. They’d married back in 1957.

The couple had one son, Ronnie. Negray and Shelly stayed together until he passed away in 2018 at the age of 88.

They buried Negray at Greenlawn Cemetery in Akron, which felt fitting—he returned to the city where his baseball dreams got started at Garfield High School.