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

Ray Bare wrapped up his major league baseball career in 1977 after five unpredictable seasons in the big leagues. This right-handed pitcher from Miami, Florida, flashed real talent at times with the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers, but that last season threw him some of his biggest challenges.

Bare retired from professional baseball following the 1977 season. He struggled with a 12.56 ERA in limited action with the Detroit Tigers. Across 88 games, he finished with a 16-26 record, a 4.79 ERA, and 145 strikeouts. The 1977 campaign was a tough end to what began as a promising career—especially after his standout relief work for St. Louis in 1972.

From being drafted out of high school several times to that unforgettable one-hit shutout, Bare’s journey through pro ball is a story of perseverance and the tough road pitchers face in the majors.

He moved from the Cardinals’ farm system to Detroit’s rotation during some pretty rough years for the franchise. Eventually, he finished out his playing days in the minors before stepping away from the game for good.

Ray Bare’s Career Overview and 1977 Retirement

Raymond Douglas Bare’s five-season MLB run ended suddenly in 1977. After a brutal start with Detroit, his ERA shot up to 12.56. His final big league outing happened on May 3, 1977, when he couldn’t retire a single batter in relief against the Texas Rangers.

Team Affiliations Leading Up to 1977

In April 1975, Ray Bare joined the Detroit Tigers after they claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals had drafted him back in February 1969, but it took five tries before he finally signed.

Bare spent his first two MLB seasons with St. Louis in 1972 and 1974. He impressed as a reliever in 1972, posting a 0.54 ERA in 14 games. After some time in the minors, he made it back to the Cardinals in 1974.

The Tigers gave Bare his first real shot as a regular starter. In 1975, he went 8-13 with a 4.48 ERA for a Detroit team that lost 102 games. Things looked up in 1976, as he improved to a 7-8 record and a 3.70 ERA.

His best moment came on May 7, 1976, when he tossed a complete game one-hitter against the Chicago White Sox. Ralph Garr managed the only hit, a single in the fourth inning.

Notable Events from 1977

Bare’s last season got off to a rough start on April 9, 1977. He gave up five runs in two innings during a 16-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. That poor outing set the tone for his toughest year.

On April 14, he bounced back with seven strong innings, allowing just one earned run. Still, the Tigers lost when reliever John Hiller surrendered three runs after Bare left the game. That was one of his few quality starts that year.

He made his last MLB start on April 27 against the White Sox. Bare allowed six earned runs in just four innings, which pretty much ended his time as a starter. The Tigers had seen enough of his up-and-down performances.

Final MLB Statistics for 1977:

• ERA: 12.56
• Innings pitched: 14⅓
• Record: 0-2

On May 3, Bare came in as a reliever against the Rangers. He didn’t record an out and gave up three earned runs. The Tigers sent him to Triple-A Evansville right after that, where he finished the season before they released him.

Final MLB Season and Circumstances of Retirement

Bare’s 1977 season in the majors lasted barely a month. After that May 3 game against Texas, Detroit demoted him to their Triple-A affiliate in Evansville.

When the 1977 season ended, the Tigers released him. He finished his MLB career with a 16-26 record, a 4.79 ERA, and 145 strikeouts in 88 games.

The Baltimore Orioles picked him up for 1978, but he never made it back to the majors. Instead, he pitched for their top farm club, the Rochester Red Wings, where he went 7-13 with a 4.05 ERA.

That year in the minors turned out to be his last in pro baseball. At 29, Bare’s career quietly ended in the International League, far from the spotlight of MLB stadiums.

His quick slide from a solid 1976 to his struggles in 1977 really shows how unforgiving pro baseball can be. It’s tough to watch a career with glimpses of brilliance just fizzle out at the top level.

Professional Career Milestones

Ray Bare’s five-year MLB career stretched from 1972 to 1977, and he had some memorable moments with both the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He started with a strong rookie debut, made some noise in the minors, and stuck around in the majors for a handful of seasons.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Ray Bare made his major league debut on July 30, 1972, with the St. Louis Cardinals, just 23 years old. He pitched in 14 games out of the bullpen as a rookie. In that first season, he allowed just one earned run, showing off some real poise and control.

After that promising start, Bare spent most of 1973 and 1974 in the minors, working on his game with the Tulsa Oilers of the American Association. The Cardinals used that time to fine-tune his mechanics and build up his stamina.

Before the 1975 season, the Detroit Tigers claimed Bare off waivers from St. Louis. That move changed his career. The Tigers gave him a real shot as a starter instead of using him mostly in relief.

Key Seasons and Performance Highlights

Bare’s best minor league season came in 1974 with the Tulsa Oilers. He went 12-4 with a league-best 2.34 ERA in the American Association. That year, he earned some buzz as one of the Cardinals’ top pitching prospects.

From 1975 to 1977, he stuck with the Detroit Tigers, which was his longest stretch in the majors. Bare became part of the Tigers’ starting rotation and pitched regularly, helping fill out their staff.

Switching from reliever to starter was a big step in his career. His time with both the Cardinals and Tigers gave him a look at different team philosophies on how to develop pitchers.

Career Statistics Summary

Ray Bare finished his career with 16 wins and 26 losses in 88 big league games. He notched 145 strikeouts during his five years in MLB. His last game came on May 3, 1977, closing the chapter on his professional baseball story.

He played for two MLB teams: the St. Louis Cardinals (1972, 1974) and the Detroit Tigers (1975-1977). His career stats really show the kind of hurdles a lot of pitchers face when bouncing between different teams and roles.

You can see his persistence in those numbers. Even with the setbacks, Bare kept grinding and showed decent strikeout ability during his time in the majors.

Draft History and Minor League Journey

Raymond Douglas Bare’s road to the majors wasn’t exactly straightforward. He went through the draft process multiple times before finally landing with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. His journey through the draft and the minors stretched from 1969 up to his MLB debut in 1972.

Draft by Washington Senators

The Washington Senators took an early interest in Ray Bare during his amateur days. There’s not a ton of detail out there about this draft experience, but it’s clear they saw something in him.

At that point, Bare was working on his skills as a right-handed pitcher. The Senators’ attention helped put him on the radar for pro ball.

That first brush with the draft gave him a taste of what professional opportunities looked like. It helped him get a feel for the baseball world beyond high school.

Draft by Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians also went after Bare while he was still an amateur. Again, the specifics are a bit murky, but

Statistical Analysis During Tigers Era

Bare’s time with Detroit showed flashes of promise, but also plenty of inconsistency over three seasons. In 1975, he hit his statistical peak, finishing with an 8-13 record and 71 strikeouts over 150.2 innings.

Key Detroit Tigers Statistics:

• 1975: 8-13 record, 4.48 ERA, 150.2 innings
• 1976: 7-8 record, 4.63 ERA, 134.0 innings
• 1977: 0-2 record, 12.56 ERA, 14.1 innings

In 1976, Bare kept his spot in the starting rotation, making 21 starts again. His ERA ticked up to 4.63, which was a slight step back. Still, he managed to throw two shutouts that year, showing he could dominate when things fell into place.

The 1977 season didn’t go well for Bare. He appeared in just five games, starting four, and struggled mightily with a 12.56 ERA before his career wrapped up.

Memorable Moments with Detroit

Bare’s run with the Tigers had some high points, especially when he tossed complete games. He finished nine complete games while in Detroit—six of those came in 1975, and three more in 1976.

Those two shutouts in 1976 really stand out. When he was on, he could command the strike zone and keep hitters off balance, which was fun to watch.

In 1975, Bare logged his most innings and strikeouts. He racked up 71 strikeouts that year, showing he could get swings and misses, though his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.51 suggested he sometimes struggled with control.

He made his final big league appearance during the 1977 season. Even with the tough ending, Bare’s three years in Detroit made up most of his major league career, and he proved he could handle a heavy workload when healthy.

Personal Life and Legacy

Raymond Douglas Bare’s story stretched beyond five seasons in the majors. He grew up in Miami, and sadly, illness cut his life short at 44. His baseball path started in South Florida and ended with a quiet but real mark on Tigers history.

Background and Early Life

Raymond Douglas Bare was born on April 15, 1949, in Miami, Florida. He came up in the lively South Florida baseball scene of the 1960s.

At Southwest Miami High School, he worked on his pitching skills. His talent drew college scouts even before he graduated.

He went on to Miami Dade College, hoping to keep improving as a pitcher. That program really gave him the base he needed for pro ball.

Draft History:

• Drafted four times before finally signing
• Signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization
• Made his MLB debut at 23 on July 30, 1972

Bare always kept his Miami roots close. The city’s warm weather let him play and develop almost year-round.

Post-Baseball Activities

After leaving baseball in 1977, Bare moved back to Florida. There isn’t much public info about his career activities after baseball.

He stayed connected to the South Florida community where he grew up. A lot of players from his era did the same, sticking close to home after retiring.

In his later years, Bare faced tough health issues. Leukemia became his biggest battle.

He passed away on March 29, 1994, at just 44 years old. He died in Miami, the same city where his journey began.

His passing marked the loss of a player who’d experienced both the Cardinals and Tigers during his time in the majors.

Legacy in Baseball History

Ray Bare’s MLB legacy really comes down to his strong showing as a rookie with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. He pitched in 14 games out of the bullpen and gave up just one earned run, which is honestly pretty impressive for a newcomer.

His best year in the minor leagues happened in 1974 with the Tulsa Oilers. That season, he notched a 12-4 record and led the American Association with a 2.34 ERA.

Career Statistics:

• 5 MLB seasons (1972, 1974-1977)
• Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers
• Position: Right-handed pitcher
• Height: 6’2″, Weight: 195 lbs

The Detroit Tigers picked him up off waivers before the 1975 season. For two years, he pitched in their starting rotation and did his best to hold his own.

Bare never became a star, but he stands for the countless hardworking players who filled out MLB rosters in the 1970s. His path from a Miami high school to the majors feels like a classic baseball story from that era, doesn’t it?