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

Ray Moore wrapped up his baseball career in 1963 when the Minnesota Twins let him go on October 15. That move ended an 11-year run in the majors, with Moore pitching for four different teams.

People called him “Farmer” and “Old Blue.” He became known as both a starter and a reliever during his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins.

Moore retired at 37 after a rough 1963 season. His control faded, and his performance dipped, so the Twins decided to move on. He pitched for the last time on September 6, 1963, against the Chicago White Sox, striking out the final batter he faced.

He grew up in Maryland, and a Dodgers scout first spotted him playing baseball in the Army while stationed in the Philippines. After his baseball days, Moore went back to farm life and spent time with his coon-hunting dogs.

Moore’s career really shows the grit of a hard-throwing pitcher who pushed through early setbacks in the Dodgers’ crowded system. He eventually carved out a solid role with several teams during the 1950s and early 1960s.

His journey from a Maryland farm to the big leagues, including his time with the 1959 Chicago White Sox during their pennant run, gives a glimpse into the ups and downs of a journeyman pitcher in baseball’s golden era.

Early Baseball Life and Path to the Majors

Ray Moore started his baseball path as a kid on a Maryland farm, eventually spending eight seasons in the minors. He made his way up through the Dodgers’ farm system, putting up strong numbers even though control issues always seemed to follow him.

Childhood and Amateur Baseball

Raymond Leroy Moore was born June 1, 1926, in Meadows, Maryland. He was the ninth of ten kids in Clarence and Mary “Maggie” Moore’s family.

The Moores moved around a lot when Ray was young. Clarence, his dad, worked as a streetcar conductor in Washington before the family went back to farming in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Baseball was a big deal for the Moores. They played regular Sunday games with extended family, and Ray—nicknamed “Bud” by his folks—usually took the mound.

Money was tight, so equipment was homemade. Clarence fashioned baseballs by wrapping old rubber strips together, which sounds pretty resourceful. Those backyard games really helped Ray hone his pitching.

Ray could do it all as a kid—run, catch, throw, and hit with some pop. He also played sandlot ball whenever he got the chance.

He enlisted in the Army in January 1945 in Baltimore. Moore served in the Philippines and then stayed in the service a bit longer, ending up stationed in Montana after the war.

Minor League Performance and Development

Brooklyn Dodgers scout Rex Bowen found Moore playing baseball in Manila while he was in the Army. That random discovery totally changed Moore’s future.

Professional Career Begins

Moore signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers before the 1947 season. His first pro assignment sent him to the Greenwood, Mississippi Dodgers in the Class-C Cotton States League.

He made an immediate impact. Moore went 18-7 with a 2.41 ERA that rookie year, which is impressive for a first season.

Minor League Progression

He moved up step by step through the Dodgers’ system. Stops included:

• Class-A Greenville, South Carolina
• Fort Worth (Texas League)
• Montreal (International League)
• St. Paul (American Association)

Moore kept putting up solid numbers in the minors. Over eight years, he finished with an 84-80 record and never posted an ERA higher than 3.75.

His best minor league year came in 1950 with Fort Worth. Moore went 15-9 that season and showed he could stick as a starting pitcher.

MLB Debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers

Moore finally broke through and made his Major League debut on August 1, 1952, for the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 26.

The Dodgers’ roster was loaded, which made it tough for Moore to get regular innings. He struggled to find his place with all the established arms around.

His first couple of years in the bigs were bumpy. Moore only pitched 36 1/3 innings combined in 1952 and 1953.

Control issues that had bugged him in the minors followed him to the majors. In spring training 1952, he launched a wild pitch that flew over everyone and punched a hole in a plaster wall 15 feet behind the plate. Not exactly ideal.

Moore bounced between the big leagues and Triple-A, moving from Brooklyn to St. Paul and Fort Worth during 1952-1954.

A sore arm in 1954 slowed him down. He only pitched 20 games and 112 innings for St. Paul that year and didn’t make a big league appearance.

The Brooklyn Dodgers traded Moore to the Baltimore Orioles on October 8, 1954, for infielder Chico Garcia. That move ended up giving Moore a much-needed fresh start.

Major League Career Timeline and Team Contributions

Ray Moore pitched in the majors from 1952 to 1963, suiting up for five teams in both leagues. He had limited chances with the loaded Dodgers, broke out with Baltimore, and helped Chicago during their 1959 pennant-winning season.

Brooklyn Dodgers Years (1952-1953)

Moore made his major league debut on August 1, 1952, with the Dodgers at 26. The team had discovered him overseas, thanks to Rex Bowen spotting him in the Philippines during Army games.

Brooklyn’s deep roster made things tough. Moore pitched just 36 1/3 innings over 1952 and 1953. With so many arms, he didn’t get many chances.

His control problems stuck around. In 1952 spring training, he threw a pitch so wild it crashed through a wall 15 feet past the plate.

He bounced between Brooklyn and the minors in St. Paul and Fort Worth. Injuries kept him out of the majors in 1954, and he only managed 20 minor league games that year.

Baltimore Orioles Tenure (1955-1957)

The October 8, 1954 trade to Baltimore for Chico Garcia gave Moore a new shot. Moving from a stacked Dodgers squad to a rebuilding Orioles team opened up opportunities.

Manager Paul Richards, who had a knack for working with pitchers, welcomed Moore. Richards thought Moore could handle starting or relieving, and he liked his fastball.

Moore put together his best stretch in Baltimore. He won 10, 12, and 11 games from 1955-1957, splitting time between the bullpen and spot starts. His 1957 season stands out, even if the record was 11-13.

Key 1957 Stats:

• 227 1/3 innings pitched (top 10 in the AL)
• 117 strikeouts (top 10 in the AL)
• .236 opponents’ batting average (top 10 in the AL)

He really got hot in the second half of 1956, going 6-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 15 games, starting 14 of them.

Chicago White Sox Era (1958-1959)

Moore landed with the White Sox on December 3, 1957, in a big trade. Chicago sent Jack Harshman, Larry Doby, and more to Baltimore for Moore, Tito Francona, and Billy Goodman.

He started 1958 mostly in relief but soon earned a spot in the rotation. Moore finished with four complete games (two shutouts) and a 9-7 record, posting a 3.82 ERA.

He built a reputation as a “Yankee killer” in June 1958. Moore beat New York twice that month, including a 3-2 complete game on June 5 and a three-hit, 2-0 shutout on June 23.

The 1959 pennant-winning year didn’t go as smoothly. Control issues came back, and he finished 3-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 29 games. Moore pitched one inning in the World Series against the Dodgers and gave up an earned run.

Notable Stints with Other Teams (1960-1963)

Moore’s 1960 season started with a bang for the White Sox. He won on Opening Day with just one pitch, getting a double play to escape a bases-loaded jam in the ninth.

After a tough start (1-1, 5.66 ERA), Chicago sent him to Washington on June 13. That trade gave him new life, and he turned into an effective closer despite earlier control problems.

With Washington, Moore notched 13 saves the rest of 1960, ranking third in the AL. He moved with the team to Minnesota and kept closing games.

Minnesota Twins Performance (1961-1962):

• 1961: 4-4 record, 14 saves (4th in AL)
• 1962: 8-3 record, 9 saves

His skills faded in the last couple of seasons. In 1963, his ERA jumped to 6.98, and he saved only two games. The Twins released him on October 15, 1963, closing out his 11-year big league career.

He threw his last pitch on September 6, 1963, against the Chicago White Sox, striking out Cam Carreon to end it.

Statistical Highlights and Pitching Achievements

Ray Moore finished with a career record of 63 wins and 59 losses over 11 seasons. He posted a 4.06 ERA and struck out 612 batters, which you can check out here. Control always seemed to be his biggest challenge—he walked almost as many hitters as he fanned.

Wins, ERA, and Overall Performance

Moore’s best years came with the Orioles from 1955 to 1957. He won double-digit games three straight seasons, topping out at 12 wins in 1956.

He had his best winning percentage in 1956, going 12-7 (.632). That year he started 27 times and finished 9 of those games, showing he could eat some innings.

His ERA bounced around over his career. It hit a low of 2.88 in 1960 with Washington and a high of 6.98 in his final year with Minnesota. Moore’s career 4.06 ERA put him just a bit below league average for that era.

He appeared in 365 games across 11 years, started 105 times, and picked up 47 saves. That versatility helped him stick around in different roles.

Strikeouts and Pitching Style

Moore, a righty, finished with 612 strikeouts in 1,072.2 innings. He averaged about 5.1 strikeouts per nine innings—not exactly overpowering, but respectable for his time.

His top strikeout year was 1957, when he punched out 117 hitters in 227.1 innings. He also hit triple digits in 1956 with 105 Ks.

Moore relied on his fastball and focused on getting hitters to put the ball in play instead of going for strikeouts every time. He didn’t really fit the mold of a power pitcher.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio sat at 1.09, which shows his control issues. Moore walked 560 batters in his career, almost matching his strikeout total.

WHIP, Walks, and Control Metrics

Moore’s career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) landed at 1.394. That means he allowed about 1.4 baserunners per inning, which definitely shows his trouble with command.

He handed out 4.7 walks per nine innings across his career. Back in his 1952 rookie season with Brooklyn, his walk rate actually peaked at 8.3 per nine innings.

During his time in Baltimore, Moore tightened up his control and kept his walk rate more manageable. His best control season came in 1960 with Washington, when he walked just 4.0 batters per nine innings.

He gave up 7.8 hits per nine innings. That, combined with the walks, pushed his WHIP higher than you’d want.

His control issues definitely limited his effectiveness, even though he could get hitters to put the ball in play.

Key Seasons and Memorable Moments

Ray Moore’s career had some truly memorable seasons—he made his mark both as a starter and a reliever. His best stretch came with the Baltimore Orioles in the mid-1950s, then he got a shot at the World Series with Chicago, and later closed games in his final years.

Breakout Performances: 1955, 1956, and 1957

Moore really found himself after joining the Baltimore Orioles in 1955. Baltimore picked him up from Brooklyn in exchange for Chico García in October 1954.

1956 was Moore’s career-best season as a starter. He finished with a 12-7 record and a 4.18 ERA. That year, he threw nine complete games, which was a personal high.

He showed much better control during this stretch. In 1956, Moore ranked ninth in the American League for hits allowed per nine innings, with a rate of 7.83.

In 1957, Moore put together an 11-13 record and a 3.72 ERA. That 3.72 ERA was his best as a regular starter.

On June 28, 1957, Moore threw a shutout that made baseball history. He finished off the White Sox’s fourth consecutive shutout, setting a new American League record that day.

Chicago White Sox and the 1959 World Series

Moore joined the Chicago White Sox in December 1957 in a big trade. The Orioles sent Moore, Tito Francona, and Billy Goodman to Chicago for Larry Doby, Jack Harshman, Russ Heman, and Jim Marshall.

The 1959 season gave Moore his only taste of postseason baseball. The White Sox won the American League pennant and faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Moore’s World Series appearance was short but definitely memorable. He threw just one inning, struck out a batter, and allowed one hit.

That hit was a home run by Chuck Essegian, which stung. Still, Moore got to pitch in the World Series, something most players only dream about.

The White Sox lost the series to the Dodgers. After that, Moore moved on to Washington in 1960.

Final Years: 1961, 1962, and 1963

After Washington picked him up from Chicago in June 1960, Moore turned into one of the American League’s top closers. The Senators became the Minnesota Twins after 1960.

During this time, his save totals ranked among the league’s best. Moore finished third in saves in 1960, fourth in 1961, and seventh in 1962.

He played his last season in 1963. Moore took the mound for the final time on September 6, 1963, against the Chicago White Sox.

He ended his career on a high note. Moore struck out Cam Carreon, the last batter he ever faced, which feels like a pretty good way to go out.

His final numbers: a 63-59 record, 612 strikeouts in 1,072⅔ innings pitched. Moore appeared in 365 games overall, saved 46, and completed 24 of his 105 starts.

Playing Style and Legacy

Ray Moore built his career around a right-handed fastball that earned him the nickname “Old Blue.” He spent 11 years in the majors, showing solid strike zone command at times, though he walked almost as many batters as he struck out. Moore proved he could handle both starting and relief roles.

Pitching Repertoire and Fastball Tenure

Moore relied on his fastball to keep hitters off balance from 1952 to 1963. Over his 11-year career, he racked up 612 strikeouts, which was pretty solid for that era.

Control was a weak spot. Moore walked 560 batters, so his strikeout-to-walk ratio ended up at just 1.09. Basically, he struck out only a few more batters than he walked.

He showed versatility by switching roles. Moore made 105 starts and pitched in 148 games as a reliever. His 47 saves showed he could close games, especially later on with Washington and Minnesota.

He logged 1,072.2 innings pitched. Moore’s career ERA of 4.06 wasn’t exactly elite, but he could eat innings and stay healthy, which teams always value.

Home Runs Allowed and Batting Abilities

Moore gave up 101 home runs in his career, averaging 0.8 per nine innings. For a fastball pitcher in the ’50s and early ’60s, that’s not too bad.

His home run rate stayed pretty steady. Moore’s best seasons for limiting homers came with Baltimore from 1955 to 1957, when he allowed just 43 long balls across 564 innings.

As a hitter, Moore was about what you’d expect from a pitcher back then. He batted right-handed and got a few at-bats with Brooklyn and later as a starter in the American League.

He didn’t offer much at the plate, but that was pretty normal for pitchers. Moore stuck to pitching and never really developed as a hitter.

Leadership On and Off the Field

Teammates respected Moore as a veteran, especially during his relief years. The nicknames “Farmer” and “Old Blue” fit his down-to-earth style and steady fastball.

He became more of a leader with Washington and Minnesota. Moore anchored the bullpen and helped younger pitchers get settled in the majors.

He stayed close to his Maryland roots. Born in Meadows, Maryland, Moore died in Clinton, Maryland, in 1995 at age 68.

Moore’s legacy is all about adaptability and longevity. He moved from starter to reliever, stretched out his career, and made an impact with four different teams during baseball’s integration era.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Ray Moore wrapped up his big league career in 1963 after 11 seasons, ending a journey that took him from a Brooklyn Dodgers prospect to a steady relief pitcher. After baseball, he spent his years farming and hunting back in Maryland, doing what he really loved.

Circumstances Surrounding 1963 Retirement

Moore’s final season in 1963 with the Minnesota Twins was rough, and it pretty much signaled the end. His ERA shot up to 6.98 after a 4.73 the year before.

At 37, he pitched in only one game that September. The Twins barely used him, and he managed just two saves all season.

Key 1963 Statistics:

• ERA: 6.98
• Saves: 2
• September appearances: 1

The Twins released Moore on October 15, 1963. Given his age and performance, it wasn’t a shock. Instead of trying to catch on with another team, Moore decided to retire for good.

Legacy in Major League Baseball

Moore played 11 years in the majors from 1952 to 1963, suiting up for five different teams. He found his best fit as a reliever, especially with the Washington Senators and early Minnesota Twins.

His top seasons came in 1960 and 1961, when he ranked among the league’s best closers. In 1960, his 13 saves were third in the AL, and he followed that with 14 saves, fourth-best, in 1961.

Moore finished with a reputation as a hard thrower who struggled with control. He walked nearly as many hitters as he struck out, and that held him back a bit, but he always brought something to the mound.

Post-Baseball Life and Lasting Influence

When Moore hung up his glove, he headed back to Maryland and the farmland he’d always known. At first, he worked alongside his father, growing tobacco.

After his father passed away in 1970, Ray switched gears and started growing vegetables. Corn and watermelon became his main crops.

Honestly, hunting was what really lit him up, especially when he was out with his coon hounds. His sister, Mildred Fowler, remembered him keeping up to eight blue-tick coon hounds and six beagles at once.

Hunters loved those dogs for their unique, echoing wails. I mean, who wouldn’t want a pack like that?

Ray never married. Mildred described him as “quiet, even-tempered, and hard-working.” He liked fishing, and country music was always playing somewhere nearby.

He even struck up a friendship with country singer Roy Clark over their mutual love of bluegrass. That’s not something you hear every day.

After he stopped farming, Moore moved in with Mildred, staying close to his roots in rural Maryland. He kept things low-key until he passed away from colon cancer on March 2, 1995, in Clinton, Maryland.