Claude Raymond – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Claude Raymond made history as the first Quebec-born player selected for a Major League Baseball All-Star Game during his 12-year career, which ran from 1959 to 1971. Born Jean Claude Marc Raymond on May 7, 1937, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, folks called him “Frenchy,” and he became one of the National League’s top relief pitchers in the 1960s.

Raymond retired from professional baseball in 1971 after finishing his last season with the Montreal Expos. That wrapped up a remarkable journey, as he played for four teams: the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, and Montreal Expos.

He hit his career peak in 1966, leading both leagues in earned run average at midseason with a 1.35 ERA while pitching for Houston.

The French-Canadian right-hander’s story covers his early days in Quebec’s baseball scene, his climb through the minors, and his impact on Canadian baseball. From his All-Star nod to his groundbreaking role with the Expos, Raymond’s career stands out for perseverance and the legacy he left for future Canadian players.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Claude Raymond’s journey from a small town in Quebec to Major League Baseball started in a place most wouldn’t expect for a future baseball star. Born into poverty in French-speaking Canada, he first honed his athletic skills on hockey rinks.

Eventually, he realized his pitching talent could take him to professional baseball.

Childhood in St. Jean, Quebec

Jean Claude Marc Raymond entered the world on May 7, 1937, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He grew up poor, in a place where hockey ruled.

Like most Quebec kids in the 1940s, Raymond spent his childhood on neighborhood ice rinks. He tried to mimic Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the Montreal Canadiens legend.

“During the Christmas holidays, I would leave the house early in the morning with my skates already on my feet,” Raymond remembered. “At noon, I didn’t even take them off for lunch. My mother would cover the floor with newspapers right to the table.”

He loved hockey, but he knew deep down he wasn’t going to match the Rocket’s legendary 50 goals in 50 games from 1945.

Baseball turned out to be his real shot. Raymond hit the ball so hard that coaches made him bat left-handed, even though he was right-handed, just to protect the church’s stained-glass windows next to the playground.

Early Baseball Experiences

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu turned out to be a great spot for Raymond’s baseball development. The town’s baseball history went way back to 1869, when the Crescent became the first team formed off Montreal’s island.

The 1940s were a golden age for baseball in Saint-Jean. After World War II, returning military personnel filled local teams with talent. Some former Major League players and Negro League stars even joined the Provincial League.

The Saint-Jean Braves became the town’s main draw. Raymond was one of their most loyal fans starting at age seven.

He got into games by catching foul balls outside the stadium. Later, he sold popcorn and served as the team mascot. By age 12, he pitched batting practice for the Braves.

This environment kept Raymond close to high-level baseball. He watched former pros and picked up the game’s finer points as a kid.

Amateur and Junior League Highlights

Raymond’s talent really started to show in his teens. In 1953, he tried out for the Drummondville Royals of the Provincial League at just 15.

The Royals wanted to sign him after seeing him pitch, but they backed out when they learned he’d lied about his age—he said he was 17.

Raymond then joined a Montreal junior league. He hitchhiked back and forth between Saint-Jean and Montreal for games and practices.

He broke through when he pitched two no-hitters in junior ball. Scouts finally started noticing the young French-Canadian pitcher.

After his second junior season, Raymond drew interest from several Major League clubs. The Brooklyn Dodgers first signed him, but the deal got canceled because he was still in school and didn’t have the right permissions.

Roland Gladu, a former Provincial League star working for the Milwaukee Braves, ended up signing Raymond in 1955. That contract kicked off Raymond’s pro career and sent him on his way to the big leagues.

Minor League Development

Claude Raymond spent his early pro years sharpening his skills across several minor league organizations from 1955 to 1962. He played for eight different teams, putting together a 55-51 record with a 2.98 ERA over 294 games.

Evansville and Jacksonville Teams

Raymond’s time with the Evansville Braves and Jacksonville Braves gave him crucial experience in the Atlanta Braves farm system. These teams were important steps in his climb toward the majors.

The Braves organization saw Raymond’s potential as a relief pitcher while he was with these affiliates. His performance in Evansville and Jacksonville helped set the stage for his later success as a closer.

Both teams let Raymond work on his pitching mechanics and develop the skills that would make him one of the National League’s best relief pitchers. The experience he picked up with these Braves affiliates proved essential for his debut in the majors.

Wichita, Louisville, Sacramento, Vancouver, and Toronto Experiences

Raymond’s minor league career took him to the Wichita Braves, Louisville Colonels, Sacramento Solons, Vancouver Mounties, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Each stop exposed him to different coaching styles and playing conditions.

With Wichita, he continued to develop within the Braves system. His stints in Louisville and Sacramento gave him more seasoning against varied competition.

Playing for the Vancouver Mounties brought him closer to home while still pushing his professional growth. The Toronto experience was special, keeping him connected to Canadian baseball.

These assignments helped Raymond adapt to different team cultures and regional styles. Each organization played a part in shaping him as a professional pitcher and prepared him for his 12-year major league career.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Claude Raymond’s MLB career lasted 12 seasons from 1959 to 1971. He started out as a struggling starter but became one of the National League’s best relief pitchers. His journey began with a short stint in Chicago before he found his footing with the Milwaukee Braves, where he spent much of his career.

Debut With the Chicago White Sox

Raymond made his major league debut on April 15, 1959, with the Chicago White Sox at 21. He came in as a reliever against Kansas City, pitching two innings but struggling with his control.

Manager Al Lopez liked Raymond’s curveball in spring training, telling teammates Raymond had “the best curveball in camp.” Still, his debut didn’t go as planned.

His first pitch in the majors hit batter Bob Cerv. Raymond pitched just four innings in three games for Chicago, giving up four earned runs.

By mid-May, the White Sox released Raymond, deciding he needed more time to develop. They kept other players, including John Callison, instead. Raymond went back to the Milwaukee Braves under draft rules.

Key Years With the Milwaukee Braves and Atlanta Braves

Raymond found stability with the Milwaukee Braves, returning to MLB in 1961. He earned his first big league win and struck out childhood heroes Gil Hodges and Duke Snider of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In 1962, he had a breakthrough season, posting a 2.74 ERA in 26 games. The Braves named him their Rookie of the Year. Raymond finally proved himself as a reliable relief pitcher.

After a stint with Houston, Raymond rejoined the Braves in Atlanta in 1967. He excelled, putting up a 2.65 ERA and going 4-1 after the trade. His 1968 season was just as solid with a 2.83 ERA.

Raymond’s most memorable moment came at Montreal’s Jarry Park in 1969. Pitching for Atlanta against the new Montreal Expos, he got a standing ovation from the home crowd. “I have never felt more at home than I did that night,” Raymond said. “I was very nervous. For the very first time, I was shaking on the mound.”

Time With Houston Colt .45’s and Houston Astros

Claude Raymond played for the Houston franchise from 1964 to 1967, covering both the Colt .45s era and the team’s switch to the Astros in 1965. He made his All-Star appearance in 1966 and gave the team steady relief pitching during its early years.

Pitching Achievements and Memorable Moments

Raymond joined the Houston Colt .45s in 1964 as a reliever. He pitched well for the team during their last season with that name.

The franchise became the Houston Astros on December 2, 1964, tying itself to Houston’s space industry and NASA.

Raymond’s best Houston season came in 1966 when he earned his only All-Star selection. That year, he made the National League All-Star Team.

While with Houston, Raymond mostly worked as a relief pitcher, often finishing games and racking up saves.

He kept his earned run average steady during his Houston years, picking up multiple saves each season and helping the young franchise get its footing.

Team Impact and League Performance

Raymond pitched for Houston during its early National League years. The team was still finding its identity and building a roster in the mid-1960s.

His steady relief pitching helped the Astros compete in the National League. The team was still new, having joined MLB in 1962 as the Colt .45s.

Raymond brought veteran leadership to a team still learning the ropes in the majors.

He spent four years with Houston, a big part of his 12-year MLB career. Raymond gave the bullpen needed stability during a time of transition.

His 1966 All-Star selection brought some attention to Houston. That achievement showed the team’s progress in developing real talent.

Montreal Expos and Retirement in 1971

Raymond’s trade to the Montreal Expos in 1969 marked a career-defining moment for the French Canadian pitcher. His final years in baseball brought personal fulfillment, even as his performance slipped and he retired in 1971.

Significance as a French Canadian Player

Claude Raymond became a baseball hero in Quebec as the first Québécois to play for the Montreal Expos. The trade from Atlanta to Montreal in August 1969 made a lifelong dream come true for him.

“I had always dreamed that one day I would pitch for a major league team in my home province and now I was going to play for a new team in Montreal,” Raymond said in August 1969. This move meant more than just another player transaction.

The timing was a bit ironic. Raymond left the first-place Atlanta Braves to join the last-place Montreal Expos. Even with the team’s struggles, he called the trade one of the happiest moments of his life.

He gave French Canadian baseball fans someone to cheer for on the field. Raymond’s presence meant more than just pitching—he became a cultural link between baseball and Quebec’s francophone community.

Final Seasons and Retirement Decision

Raymond’s first full season with Montreal in 1970 went pretty well, with a 6-7 record and 23 saves. He proved himself as a reliable reliever for the new franchise.

In 1971, things didn’t go as smoothly. At 35, Raymond’s performance dropped off compared to the year before.

His final MLB appearance came on September 25, 1971, against the Montreal Expos, closing the book on a 12-year major league career that began with the Chicago White Sox in 1959.

Raymond wrapped up his career with a 46-53 record, a 3.66 ERA, and 82 saves in 449 games. Those numbers show a solid career as a relief pitcher during baseball’s shift toward modern bullpen use.

Legacy, Honors, and Post-Retirement Life

Claude Raymond shaped Canadian baseball in ways that went way beyond his years on the field. Folks in Quebec often call him their greatest baseball ambassador, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree. After hanging up his glove, he jumped right into broadcasting, which let him stay close to the game he loved for decades.

Induction Into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

On July 26, 1984, Claude Raymond got his ultimate honor—induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. That came 13 years after he retired from pro ball.

The Hall of Fame recognized Raymond’s historic significance as the first Canadian to play for a Canadian major league team. When the Montreal Expos picked him up on August 19, 1969, he quickly became a symbol of national pride for baseball fans across Canada.

His stats definitely helped his case. Raymond finished in the top 10 in saves four times—1962, 1966, 1967, and 1970. In 1966, he earned an All-Star nod as one of the National League’s best relief pitchers.

The Hall of Fame even called him “the greatest big leaguer ever to come out of the province of Quebec.” Over 449 games, he racked up 83 saves and a 3.66 ERA. That’s some serious staying power for a reliever.

Contributions to Baseball After Retirement

After his playing days, Raymond stayed in the game through broadcasting. He joined the Montreal Expos broadcasts as a French-language analyst from 1972 to 2001.

He started on radio with Jacques Doucet. When Jean-Pierre Roy retired in 1984, Raymond switched over to television with Société Radio-Canada.

In Quebec, people knew him as much for his voice as his pitching. His 29 years as an analyst helped make baseball more popular among French-speaking Canadians. He never really stopped being a baseball hero in the province.

Canada honored Raymond with the Order of Canada in 2019. That’s about as high as it gets, recognizing him for both his trailblazing playing days and his long run as a broadcaster promoting the sport.

Collectibles and Net Worth Information

Collectors still show interest in Claude Raymond’s memorabilia market. Autographed baseball cards usually go for anywhere from $0.79 up to $55.00. Nobody really knows his exact net worth, but with a 12-year MLB career and coaching gigs after, he managed to stay financially secure in the baseball world.

Notable Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

You can find Claude Raymond’s cards from his 1963 rookie year through his 1971 retirement. The rookie cards and autographed pieces from his Astros years seem to be the most sought after.

Key collectible categories include:

• 1963 Topps rookie cards (Chicago White Sox)
• 1965-1967 Houston Colt .45s/Astros cards
• 1969-1971 Montreal Expos cards
• Autographed baseballs and index cards

On average, autographed items go for about $8.00. His 1965 Topps card (#48) is still a favorite with collectors. In March 2025, the market saw its busiest month, with six items sold.

If you get his cards authenticated by PSA, the value jumps quite a bit. The priciest authenticated Raymond collectible went for $55.00 in March 2025.

Estimated Net Worth and Philanthropic Involvement

Claude Raymond’s exact net worth? No one’s ever really said, and that’s pretty common for players from his era. He spent 12 years in the MLB, from 1959 to 1971, but the money back then just wasn’t what it is now.

Financial factors include:

• Salary from a handful of MLB teams
• Coaching paychecks (1970s through the 1990s)
• Income from memorabilia and autograph signings
• Recognition from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984

After hanging up his glove, Raymond kept working in baseball. He coached with teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos, so his baseball income didn’t just stop. When the Reds won the 1990 World Series, it’s likely he earned a little extra for that, too.

Raymond really made an impact on Canadian baseball, especially when it came to helping the next generation. While there aren’t a lot of details about specific charities, people know him for mentoring young players and giving back to the sport in his own way.