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

Ray Washburn’s baseball journey really stands out as a story of grit and perseverance in Major League Baseball. This right-handed pitcher from Pasco, Washington, nearly lost his career to a brutal shoulder injury in 1963, but somehow came back to achieve one of baseball’s most sought-after feats.

Washburn pitched in the majors for ten seasons, from 1961 to 1970. He spent nine years with the St. Louis Cardinals and wrapped up his career with the Cincinnati Reds before retiring at just 32. His time in baseball had its ups and downs—a fantastic rookie year, a scary injury, and then a comeback that led to a no-hitter in 1968.

From his start as a $50,000 bonus baby to his last game in October 1970, Washburn’s story really covers the full rollercoaster of pro baseball. Let’s look at his amateur days, his climb through the Cardinals’ system, the injury that changed everything, and how he reinvented himself to help championship teams.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Ray Clark Washburn was born May 31, 1938, in Pasco, Washington. He grew up in Burbank, a small farming town during the post-World War II years.

He shined at Whitworth University, leading his team to a 1960 national championship. Scouts noticed, and the St. Louis Cardinals signed him to a hefty $50,000 bonus contract.

Childhood in Washington

Ray Washburn spent his early years in Burbank, Washington, right where the Snake and Columbia rivers meet. His family had history there—his grandmother once traveled by buckboard wagon from Kansas City to homestead a wheat farm in the Horse Heaven Hills near Kennewick.

Life wasn’t easy for the Washburns. Ray’s dad, Chet, drove a truck, and his mom, Bernice, stayed home with five kids. Ray was the oldest son, and the family scraped by in rural Washington.

Baseball grabbed Ray’s attention early on. “Being in a small town, there were all kinds of vacant lots, that’s how we played all the time,” Washburn once said. “We’d scrape out an area, build our own field, and round up something we’d make a backstop out of.”

By 14, Ray was riding his bike into Pasco four times a week just to play organized ball. That kind of commitment really shaped his future as a player.

He finished high school at tiny Burbank High in 1956 and became the first in his family to go to college.

Whitworth University and College Baseball

Washburn landed an athletic scholarship to Whitworth University, a small Presbyterian college in Spokane. He played basketball too, but baseball was always his real love.

During the summers, he sharpened his game in semipro leagues across the region. In 1958, he pitched for Bellingham at the National Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita, Kansas. He won three games there, beating teams with future big leaguers like Earl Wilson and Floyd Robinson.

The next year, he pulled off another wild feat. In 1959, Washburn threw a 152-pitch no-hitter—he walked eight, but still helped Lethbridge win the Southern Alberta Baseball League pennant. Steve Schott, who later co-owned the Oakland Athletics, was one of his teammates.

His senior season at Whitworth was legendary. Washburn led the Pirates to the 1960 NAIA championship in Sioux City, Iowa. He struck out 37 batters in 19 innings and even hit two home runs. In the semifinal, he struck out future Hall of Famer Lou Brock three times in a 4-0 shutout. Washburn took home tournament MVP and a spot on the All-Star team.

Path to Professional Baseball

Washburn’s college heroics caught the eye of Cardinals scout Charlie Frey. Frey arranged a tryout at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh when the Cardinals were in town.

Washburn impressed them so much that the Cardinals signed him on the spot. The deal included a $50,000 bonus paid in installments—pretty huge at the time. He became what baseball folks called a “bonus baby.”

That signing bonus showed just how much the Cardinals wanted him. They sent him to their top farm team in Rochester, where he went 5-4 in his first pro season.

After that first minor league year, Washburn did a six-month Army stint. When he finished his service, he reported to the Cardinals’ minor-league camp in Homestead, Florida, ready to chase his big league dream.

Major League Debut and Rise with the St. Louis Cardinals

Ray Washburn broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961. He quickly showed he belonged. His rookie season in 1962 looked promising, but a serious shoulder injury in 1963 forced him into a long rehab.

MLB Debut in 1961

Washburn made his MLB debut on September 20, 1961, with the Cardinals at 23. He earned his shot after leading the International League with 16 wins and a 2.34 ERA for San Juan-Charleston.

He made an immediate splash during his September call-up. Washburn finished that debut season 1-1, including a complete-game win over the Phillies.

That strong showing got him an invite to the Cardinals’ 1962 spring training. The front office liked what they saw and put him in manager Johnny Keane’s rotation plans.

Breakthrough Rookie Season

In 1962, Washburn established himself as a key piece of the Cardinals’ pitching staff. He went 12-9 in 175 2/3 innings, showing he could handle a starter’s workload.

The St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America gave him the John B. Sheridan Rookie Award. That honor marked a successful jump from the minors to MLB.

Back then, he relied on two main pitches. “I felt I probably threw in the mid to upper 90s at one time,” Washburn said about his fastball. “I developed a good slider. I could throw it up there at probably 89, 90, like Mariano Rivera.”

That strong rookie year put him right alongside Bob Gibson and Ernie Broglio at the top of the Cardinals’ rotation for 1963.

Challenges and Recoveries

Washburn started 1963 on fire, but then disaster struck. He opened the season with a shutout of the Mets at the Polo Grounds on April 10, then followed with complete-game wins over Pittsburgh and Houston.

He nearly pitched a perfect game on April 27 against the Dodgers, taking it into the seventh and a no-hitter into the eighth. He finished with a three-hit shutout.

By early May, Washburn was 5-0 and leading the majors in wins, complete games, and strikeouts. Then his shoulder started hurting, and the team sent him down to Tulsa on June 17.

Doctors found he’d torn his triceps muscle. Trainer Bob Bauman later called it the worst tear he’d ever seen, and said helping Washburn recover was one of his proudest achievements.

Washburn’s rehab dragged on. He worked with a three-pound iron ball and wall pulleys to get his arm strength back. He returned in 1964, but couldn’t quite get back to his old self. He had to reinvent his pitching style to stay effective.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Ray Washburn’s career had some unforgettable moments. His 1968 no-hitter against the Giants is probably his most famous game. He also won a World Series with the Cardinals, which is the dream for any player.

1968 No-Hitter vs. San Francisco Giants

On September 18, 1968, Washburn threw the game of his life at Candlestick Park. He no-hit the Giants, winning 2-0 in dominant fashion.

The crazy part? Giants pitcher Gaylord Perry had just thrown a no-hitter against the Cardinals the day before. Perry’s gem had shut down the Cardinals’ bats, with Bob Gibson taking the loss.

Washburn came right back and made history. He faced a tough Giants lineup—guys like Willie McCovey were in there—and kept them off balance all game.

Key Stats from the No-Hitter:

• Final Score: Cardinals 2, Giants 0
• Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco
• Strikeouts: Several batters went down swinging
• Walks: He kept free passes to a minimum

World Series Championships

Washburn picked up a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 1964. The team beat the Yankees in a wild seven-game series.

He made the World Series roster, but didn’t pitch because of injury. Manager Johnny Keane never called on him during the series.

“I knew the circumstances, I wasn’t 100 percent,” Washburn said later. His shoulder problem limited what he could do in the playoffs.

Even though he didn’t pitch, Washburn still helped the Cardinals win that year. His rehab had convinced management to trade Ernie Broglio for Lou Brock—a move that turned out to be huge.

Back-to-Back No-Hitters in MLB History

Washburn’s no-hitter set up one of the most unusual moments in baseball. Those back-to-back no-hitters at Candlestick Park had never happened before between the same teams in consecutive games.

Perry threw his no-hitter on September 17, 1968, beating the Cardinals 1-0. Bob Gibson took the loss, even though he’d go on to win the Cy Young that year.

The very next day, Washburn answered with his own masterpiece. It was the first time in National League history that opposing pitchers tossed no-hitters in back-to-back games of the same series.

That kind of thing is still really rare. Only a handful of back-to-back no-hitters have happened between the same teams in consecutive games in all of MLB history.

Accolades and Honors

Washburn picked up the John B. Sheridan Rookie Award from the St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America after his 1962 season. He’d gone 12-9 in 175⅔ innings as a rookie.

His college days at Whitworth were just as impressive. Washburn was named MVP of the 1960 NAIA championship tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.

During that run, he struck out 37 batters in 19 innings and even helped with the bat. He fanned future Hall of Famer Lou Brock three times in the semifinal.

Career Totals:

• Wins: 72
• Losses: 64
• ERA: 3.53
• Strikeouts: 700
• World Series: 1 championship (1964)

Statistical Overview and Pitching Style

Ray Washburn finished his 10-year career with a 72-64 record, a 3.53 ERA, and 700 strikeouts over 1,210 innings. His best season was 1968, the “Year of the Pitcher,” when he posted a 2.26 ERA and won a career-high 14 games.

Pitching Statistics and Metrics

Washburn’s numbers show he was a dependable mid-rotation guy who could eat innings. His 3.53 ERA over 239 games put him a bit above league average for his time.

He threw 1,210 innings in his career, averaging 203 innings per 162-game season. Washburn struck out 700 batters, with a modest 5.2 SO/9 rate—he relied more on getting outs with contact than blowing hitters away.

Key Career Numbers:

• W-L: 72-64 (.529 winning percentage)
• ERA: 3.53
• WHIP: 1.291
• Complete Games: 25
• Shutouts: 10

His H9 rate of 9.0 and BB9 of 2.6 showed decent control, and his HR9 of 0.8 was solid for that era. Washburn’s WAR of 8.8 says he gave his teams above-replacement value when he was at his best.

Signature Pitches and Playing Style

Washburn pitched with finesse, relying on location and changing speeds instead of blowing hitters away with velocity. His SO/BB ratio of 1.98 showed he commanded the strike zone pretty well, though not at an elite level.

He worked quickly and pitched to contact, letting his defense handle the action behind him. Over his career, he threw 25 complete games and notched 10 shutouts, which says a lot about his ability to go deep when his team needed it.

Washburn always focused on throwing strikes and trusted his teammates in the field. With a strikeout rate of just 5.2 per nine innings, he leaned into that contact-heavy style.

His best years happened when he could spot his fastball and mix in off-speed stuff. If you look at his WHIP and ERA, you’ll see he stuck to this approach his whole career.

1968: Year of the Pitcher

Washburn peaked during the legendary “Year of the Pitcher” in 1968. He put up a career-best 2.26 ERA in 215.1 innings, finishing 14-8 with four shutouts.

His ERA+ of 129 made him 29% better than average in a year when pitchers already ruled the game. That WHIP of 1.105? Definitely his sharpest command.

He set personal highs in wins (14), complete games (8), and shutouts (4) that season. He also struck out 124 batters, matching his usual SO/9 rate of 5.2.

1968 Season Highlights:

• 14-8 record with 2.26 ERA
• 215.1 innings pitched in 31 games
• 8 complete games and 4 shutouts
• 3.4 WAR, his best single-season mark

That run helped the Cardinals reach the World Series. Washburn pitched twice in the Series, though he struggled with a 9.82 ERA over 7.1 innings.

Final MLB Season and Transition to Retirement

Ray Washburn wrapped up his major league run in 1970, capping off a decade that started with the St. Louis Cardinals. After a trade sent him to the Cincinnati Reds, he filled a supporting role as the team chased the pennant, then made his final appearance in the World Series.

Trade to the Cincinnati Reds

The Cardinals shipped Washburn to the Reds after 1969, getting pitcher George Culver in return. Both guys had thrown no-hitters in 1968, so that swap was pretty unusual.

Washburn struggled in his last year with St. Louis, going 3-8 as a spot starter. The Cardinals moved on from the veteran righty, even though he’d been a steady part of their rotation for years.

The trade gave Washburn a shot at a fresh start with a Reds team on the rise. Cincinnati was building that “Big Red Machine” roster, and he got to be part of it for a bit.

1970 National League Pennant Run

Washburn joined a Reds squad that steamrolled to the NL pennant in 1970. They finished 102-60 and ran away with the NL West by 14.5 games.

That year, Washburn mostly pitched out of the bullpen. He didn’t really find his groove in relief, adjusting to a new role and new teammates.

Still, he earned another World Series share as one of the NL champions. That was his third World Series, after earlier trips with the Cardinals in 1964 and 1967.

World Series Appearance and Last MLB Game

The 1970 World Series put the Reds up against the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles pretty much ran the show, winning the series 4-1.

Washburn’s last big league outing came in the final game of that Series. Not a bad way to bow out, really—on baseball’s biggest stage.

After the season, the Reds released him. He gave it one last try with the California Angels in spring training, but that comeback didn’t pan out, and he officially retired.

Post-Playing Career and Personal Life

Once he stepped away from pro baseball, Ray Washburn shifted gears to coaching and education, spending years helping young athletes and students in the Pacific Northwest. He picked up honors in several halls of fame and kept close ties to his Washington State roots.

Seattle Rainiers and Coaching

Washburn headed back to the Pacific Northwest in 1972 to manage the Seattle Rainiers in the Northwest League. The team played at old Sick’s Stadium, and Washburn guided young players through the Class A season.

His big league experience turned out to be a huge asset for developing minor leaguers. At 34, he brought a fresh perspective, having just wrapped up his own playing days two years earlier.

Managing the Rainiers marked Washburn’s first step into coaching and baseball management. He worked with players just starting their pro careers, passing along what he’d learned over a decade in the majors.

That coaching stint helped build his reputation as a mentor and teacher. He focused on the basics and mental toughness, drawing from his own struggles with shoulder injuries during his career.

Career in Education and Administration

After his brief time managing, Washburn dove into a career in education that lasted for decades. He earned a Master’s of Education Administration, which set him up for leadership roles in schools.

He joined the faculty at Bellevue Community College, teaching physical education classes. His background as a professional athlete gave him credibility and practical stories that students could actually relate to.

Later, he moved over to Seattle University as Athletic Director. There, he ran the sports programs and handled the department’s day-to-day operations.

He managed budgets, oversaw coaching staffs, and worked on student-athlete development. As a former pro, he really understood what college athletes go through.

Switching from pro sports to education let Washburn make a difference for young people outside of athletics, too. Blending his sports and admin know-how, he became a strong leader in higher ed.

Honors and Hall of Fame Inductions

Washburn’s work in baseball and education brought him several hall of fame inductions. The NAIA Hall of Fame recognized his standout college career at Whitworth University, where he led the Pirates to the 1960 championship.

He also made it into the Inland Empire Hall of Fame, which celebrated his major league career and that unforgettable 1968 no-hitter against the Giants.

The Washington State Sports Hall of Fame inducted Washburn for his impact as both a player and an educator. That honor highlighted his influence on sports all across the Pacific Northwest.

These recognitions weren’t just about his stats—they reflected his character and community spirit, too. Washburn’s post-baseball career in education showed his real commitment to helping young people grow, not just as athletes but as people.

Legacy and Community Contributions

After his playing days, Washburn kept close ties to his Washington State roots. He often showed up at community events and youth baseball programs, eager to share what he’d learned with young players.

He took his passion for education seriously and made a real impact. Washburn shaped academic and athletic programs, and thousands of students benefited from his efforts over the years.

People respected him for the way he blended professional baseball experience with educational know-how. He really connected the world of sports and schools, and people noticed.

Washburn’s legacy isn’t just about that unforgettable no-hitter in 1968. It’s also about decades of service in education. His journey from a small town in Washington to the big leagues, then back to education, really showed what hard work and community spirit can do.

Even in his later years, he stayed active in baseball and education. Washburn kept helping young talent grow, and his story inspired a lot of folks who believed small-town athletes could go far without losing touch with where they came from.