Ray Coleman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ray Coleman really stands out as one of those journeyman ballplayers who helped shape Major League Baseball after World War II. Born in California, this outfielder managed to put together a solid five-season career from 1947 to 1952. He bounced between teams, but you could count on him to deliver at the plate. His story? It’s a glimpse into the lives of so many players who quietly formed the backbone of pro baseball during a time when the sport was changing fast.

Raymond Leroy Coleman wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1952 after playing 559 games as an outfielder for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. He had three separate runs with the Browns, which says a lot about his value and just how unpredictable baseball rosters could be back then.

He finished with a .258 batting average, 20 home runs, and 199 RBIs. That kind of steady, dependable play kept him in the big leagues for a good five years.

Coleman’s road to the majors wasn’t exactly smooth. World War II military service interrupted his path, which makes his eventual success all the more impressive.

From his high school days in California to his last season in 1952, his journey gives us a window into player development, wartime baseball, and the business side of the game during a pretty pivotal time in MLB history.

Early Life and Education

Ray Coleman’s early years were shaped by his family’s ties to California’s timber industry and his natural knack for sports.

Born in Dunsmuir, California in 1922, Coleman grew up in a working-class family. They eventually moved to Yreka, where he became a standout in several sports at the local high school.

Family Background and Childhood in California

Raymond Leroy Coleman was born on June 4, 1922, in Dunsmuir, California, a tiny city about 200 miles north of Sacramento. He was the oldest of two kids born to Orson Leroy and Ruby Leona (Gilmore) Coleman.

The family moved 45 miles north to Yreka during Ray’s childhood. Yreka, once a gold rush town, had turned into a busy timber community by the early 1900s.

His dad worked as a lumberjack, and that rugged Northern California backdrop really colored Ray’s upbringing.

Coleman spent his childhood outdoors, full of adventure. He “grew up riding pack trains into the mountains with grizzly old miners who carried saddlebags on their horses,” according to old accounts.

Those early outdoor experiences definitely helped him build up strength and stamina.

Yreka Union High School and Athletic Pursuits

At Yreka Union High School, Coleman thrived both in the classroom and on the field. Athletic director Walter Foster helped guide him, and Ray didn’t limit himself to just baseball—he played a bunch of sports.

He showed leadership early on, serving as student council president his senior year. That role let him flex his teamwork and leadership muscles, which certainly came in handy later in his baseball career.

His baseball skills really started to shine during high school. He also played American Legion baseball, which gave him more competition and a chance to get noticed.

Influences and Path to Professional Baseball

Professional scouts started to notice Coleman during his American Legion days. Browns scout Kid Butler saw his potential and kept tabs on his progress.

Walter Foster’s mentorship at Yreka Union High School played a huge part in Ray’s development. Foster’s advice shaped how Coleman approached sports and competition, laying the groundwork for his pro career.

By graduation, Coleman had the athletic ability, leadership, and drive to chase professional opportunities. His small-town California roots gave him a work ethic and determination that stuck with him.

Military Service During World War II

Ray Coleman put his baseball career on hold at the end of the 1943 season to serve in the military. He joined the United States Navy as a Seaman First Class and took part in operations across both the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters during World War II.

Enlistment and US Navy Assignment

After a strong 1943 season with Springfield, Coleman enlisted in the US Navy. He earned the rank of Seaman First Class while serving.

The Navy first stationed him at Treasure Island, California, where he trained before heading overseas.

Coleman specialized as a 5-inch Thirty-Eight Specialist. He once said he knew “them things inside out.”

He served on transport ships that carried ammunition and troops to combat zones.

Mediterranean and Pacific Theater Experiences

Coleman’s first deployment lasted 18 months in the Mediterranean. His ship operated in North Africa, Italy, Anzio, and Augusta.

After that, he transferred to the Pacific theater. His second ship took part in the assault on Saipan, and he served there twice.

His last naval assignment led him through a long stretch of Pacific campaigns. “We started in New Guinea, came all the way up through the Philippines, I was everywhere,” he remembered.

He also traveled across the Indian Ocean. His ship stopped in Bombay and Calcutta twice.

All that time away took a toll. “Boy, I never thought it was going to end,” he said years later.

Impact of Service on Baseball Career

Coleman lost three full seasons of professional baseball from 1943 to 1945 because of his military service. Those were pretty important years for his development as a player.

He never lost his baseball dreams, though. He tried to join games with major leaguers in Honolulu but didn’t get the chance.

When he came back to baseball in 1946, he needed time to get back in the groove. He played for the San Antonio club in the Texas League and hit .287 that season.

His military experience brought him discipline, which probably helped later on. Coleman made his major league debut with the St. Louis Browns on April 22, 1947.

Minor League Development and Early Career

Ray Coleman started his minor league journey in 1940 at just 18, beginning with the Springfield affiliate and then moving to the Paragould Browns. He played in the Northeast Arkansas League and the Three-I League, learning the ropes as an outfielder before making it to the Texas League with the San Antonio Missions.

Initial Minor League Assignments

Coleman signed with the St. Louis Browns organization as an amateur free agent in 1940. They first sent him to the Class-D Paragould Browns in the Northeast Arkansas League.

But his pro debut actually came with the Class-B Springfield, Illinois affiliate in the Indiana-Illinois-Iowa League. Injuries on the Springfield roster opened up a spot for the young outfielder.

At 18, Coleman was the youngest non-pitcher in the league. The competition was tough for someone fresh out of California.

He only managed two hits in 22 at-bats during his short stint with Springfield. Once the injured players returned, the team sent him back to Paragould.

Paragould Browns and the Northeast Arkansas League

The move to the Paragould Browns turned out to be good for him. He played with others his age and level, which helped him grow.

Coleman’s performance improved a lot at Paragould. He nearly led the team in triples with 9 and posted a .456 slugging percentage in 226 at-bats.

His defensive skills also started getting noticed. Coaches and scouts liked his range in the outfield.

That strong season at Paragould put him on the map as a real prospect for the Browns. His mix of offense and defense set him up for bigger things.

Mayfield Browns and the Three-I League

Next, Coleman played for the Mayfield Browns in Kentucky during the 1941 season, sticking to the Class-D level in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League.

He really broke out in July, earning a spot as the starting centerfielder for the league’s All-Star Game. That nod showed just how quickly he was developing.

Coleman’s offense was strong all year. He led the league with 52 doubles and 122 RBIs, putting him among the top hitters.

He hit .346, the second-best average in the league. Those numbers proved he could hit for both average and power.

Because of that big year, the Browns promoted him to the Class-AA Toledo Mud Hens, their top minor league team. But after some struggles in spring training in 1942, he went back to Class-B Springfield.

San Antonio Missions and the Texas League

After serving in World War II, Coleman returned to the field in 1946 with the Class-AA San Antonio Missions in the Texas League. Toledo had moved up to Triple-A while he was away.

He started strong, hitting .301 at midseason and ranking among the league’s batting leaders.

But he couldn’t keep up that pace. He got only 46 hits in his last 210 at-bats, ending the year at .287.

His pre-war power numbers didn’t come back. His slugging percentage dropped to .364, and he didn’t hit any home runs, which was quite a drop from his earlier .420+ slugging.

Even with the dip in power, the Browns still believed in him. His season with San Antonio earned him a shot at the major league roster.

Major League Career Highlights (1947–1952)

Ray Coleman’s big league career lasted five years across three teams. He showed his versatility as an outfielder, and 1951 was his best season, setting career highs in most offensive stats.

He was traded several times between the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics, and Chicago White Sox. Along the way, he mentored younger players and built a reputation for spirited play.

Major League Debut and 1947 Season

Coleman made his major league debut on April 22, 1947, at Cleveland Stadium, pinch-hitting against Indians ace Bob Feller. He grounded into a force out at second base in his first at-bat.

He didn’t wait long for his first big league hit. On April 26, he came in as a defensive replacement for right fielder Al Zarilla during a game against the Washington Senators and hit a two-run homer off pitcher Lou Knerr.

Coleman showed promise as a rookie, even though he didn’t play much early on. He spent most of the first half as a backup, but when Zarilla hit a slump, Coleman got more chances.

He finished his rookie year with a .259 batting average, just above the league average. He almost led the Browns with seven triples, showing off his speed and ability to hit the gaps.

St. Louis Browns Tenures and Notable Performances

Coleman played for the St. Louis Browns three different times, making them his main big league team. His best year was 1951, when he set career highs in several offensive categories.

In 1951, Coleman stayed among the league’s batting leaders for much of the year. An 11-game hitting streak in June helped cement his place as one of the Browns’ steady performers on a team that was struggling.

He stepped up as a leader, too. Browns manager Zack Taylor praised his work ethic and mentoring, saying Coleman “spends hours on the ball field, practicing his hitting, his fielding and his throwing.”

In 1950, when he got regular playing time, Coleman hit .318 in 233 at-bats from late May through early September. He tied for the club lead with six triples and ranked second in stolen bases with seven.

Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox Years

When the Philadelphia Athletics traded for Coleman on June 5, 1948, he suddenly found himself playing for the legendary Connie Mack. The Athletics sent outfielder George Binks and $20,000 to the Browns for Coleman.

Mack immediately showed faith in his new outfielder, saying Coleman “can run, and he knows how to get under a ball, and how to throw one.” Coleman took the opportunity seriously and hit .259 with five doubles, six triples, and 20 RBIs in 189 at-bats.

In July 1951, the Chicago White Sox claimed Coleman off waivers. That move reunited him with manager Paul Richards, who had managed him with the Buffalo Bisons. Suddenly, Coleman found himself on a contending team and set career highs in nearly every offensive category.

During the 1951 season with Chicago, Coleman nearly led the league in triples again, finishing with 12. Hitting triples became his calling card, and he kept that up throughout his career.

Key Teammates, Managers, and Transactions

Coleman bounced around quite a bit, which really highlighted his value as a versatile outfielder. His last trade back to the Browns in 1952 involved catcher Jay Porter, with both heading to St. Louis in exchange for catcher Darrell Johnson and outfielder Jim Rivera.

Not long after, the Browns traded Coleman to the Brooklyn Dodgers. They packaged him with pitcher Bob Mahoney, shortstop Stan Rojek, and $95,000 for infielder Billy Hunter. That deal happened just two weeks after Coleman’s final major league game on September 26, 1952.

Paul Richards probably influenced Coleman’s career more than anyone else. Richards first managed him in the minors, then again in Chicago. He valued Coleman’s baseball smarts and relentless work ethic, which matched up well with his athletic skills.

People around the game respected Coleman for more than just his stats. Managers, coaches, and sportswriters often praised the energy he brought to the field and compared his style to the old “Gashouse Gang” days.

Statistical Overview and Achievements

Ray Coleman put together a .258 batting average, 20 home runs, and 199 RBIs in 559 games over five MLB seasons. His best year came in 1951, when he hit .280 and posted his highest WAR of 1.4.

Career Batting and Fielding Statistics

If you look at Coleman’s career stats, he comes across as a steady outfielder who chipped in solid production for several teams. Over five seasons from 1947 to 1952, he racked up 446 hits in 1,729 at-bats.

His offensive numbers looked like this:

• Batting average: .258
• Home runs: 20
• RBIs: 199
• Runs scored: 208
• On-base percentage: .318

Coleman showed some patience at the plate, drawing 148 walks and striking out 158 times. He hit 74 doubles and 33 triples, so he had a knack for extra-base hits.

In the field, Coleman played mostly right field but also filled in at center and left. In 1947, his fielding percentage hit .984, which beat the league average of .979.

Memorable Seasons and Offensive Impact

The 1951 season really stands out for Coleman. He played for both the St. Louis Browns and the Chicago White Sox, hit .280, and collected 146 hits in 522 at-bats.

That year, he set career highs in a few categories:

• 12 triples
• 76 RBIs
• 142 games played

His stretch with Chicago in 1951 was especially impressive. In 51 games after the trade, Coleman batted .276, posted a .448 slugging percentage, and notched an OPS+ of 111.

The 1950 season also showed what he could do. Playing only for St. Louis, he hit .271, cracked 25 doubles, and hit 8 home runs in 117 games.

Historical Context in MLB

Coleman played during the last years before MLB’s full integration. His career ran from the late 1940s into the early 1950s, when offense wasn’t what it is today.

A .258 career batting average was solid for that era. League averages usually floated between .260 and .270 back then.

His 20 home runs and 199 RBIs fit the times, too. Power numbers just weren’t as high as they would be in later decades.

Teams valued his ability to play all three outfield spots. That flexibility helped him stick around with three different franchises.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

After baseball, Ray Coleman jumped into a wide-ranging 40-year career that included stints with the American Snuff Company, construction jobs, farming, and even medical services. He kept his baseball ties alive by getting involved with the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and stayed connected to both Kentucky and California during his later years.

Post-Retirement Career and Activities

Coleman’s post-baseball life was anything but dull. He spent years at the American Snuff Company, learning the ropes in manufacturing and distribution. That same work ethic from his playing days carried over as he worked as a construction foreman.

He also dove into agriculture, farming tobacco and soybeans. That likely happened in Kentucky, where he had family ties and some minor league experience with the Mayfield teams.

In the 1980s, Coleman made his way back to California. There, he worked as a medic, proving he could pick up new skills even later in life. That career change showed the same grit he had when he was trying to make it as a ballplayer.

Contributions to the St. Louis Browns Historical Society

Coleman didn’t lose touch with the game after he hung up his spikes. He got involved with the St. Louis Browns Historical Society, which keeps the memory of the old franchise alive.

The Browns, who played from 1902 to 1953, hold a unique spot in baseball history. Coleman’s work with the society helped keep stories and records from his era around. Since he played three separate stints with the Browns, he became a great resource for the group.

By sharing his stories and memories, Coleman helped connect the past to the present. Thanks to his efforts, the Browns’ legacy remains alive, even though the franchise moved to Baltimore years ago.

Personal Life, Honors, and Remembrance

Coleman married Sara Jane Hackney in September 1941. They had two daughters together.

Their marriage lasted 40 years before they divorced in 1981. The family made their home in Kentucky, Sara Jane’s home state, and the place where Coleman once played minor league baseball.

Coleman died on September 19, 2010, at 88. He lived nearly nine decades, from his birth in Dunsmuir, California, in 1922 to his last years.

People in baseball circles admired Coleman for his positive attitude and team spirit. Managers and sportswriters often said he brought energy to the game and reminded them of the “Gashouse Gang” Cardinals teams from the 1930s.

Honestly, that’s not something you see every day.