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| Ray Herbert | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1929-12-15)December 15, 1929 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Died: December 20, 2022(2022-12-20) (aged 93) Plymouth, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 27, 1950, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 17, 1966, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 104–107 |
| Earned run average | 4.01 |
| Strikeouts | 864 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Raymond Ernest Herbert (December 15, 1929 – December 20, 2022) was an American professional baseballpitcher. He appeared in 407Major League Baseball (MLB)games over 14 seasons (1950–1951;1953–1955;1958–1966) with theDetroit Tigers,Kansas City Athletics,Chicago White Sox andPhiladelphia Phillies. After his retirement, he would throwbatting practice for the Tigers for over three decades.[1]
First noticed by baseball scoutWish Egan at a local sandlot in Detroit, Herbert signed with hishometown Tigers after attendingDetroit Catholic Central High School. Herbert won two high school league championships, eventually being inducted in 2008 to the school's hall of fame. He was a father to five children.[1]
After prepping with theTriple-AToledo Mud Hens in 1949–50, Herbert received his first MLB trial in August 1950.[1]
In his major league debut, hestarted against thePhiladelphia Athletics atShibe Park. He worked into theeighth inning, and was holding a 3–2 lead when he surrendered atwo-runhome run toSam Chapman. Herbert was tagged with theloss, although he registered an eight-inningcomplete game.[2] In1951, he made the Tigers out ofspring training and appeared in five early-season games, all inrelief; he was thewinning pitcher in four of those contests, and compiled a low 1.42earned run average in 122⁄3innings pitched. Herbert then joined the military forKorean War service, missing the rest of 1951 and all of 1952.[3]
When Herbert returned to the Tigers in1953–54, he got into 85 games, mostly in relief, winning seven of 19decisions and posting a 5.55 ERA in 172 innings pitched.
OnMay 11, 1955, Herbert's contract was purchased by the Athletics during their first season inKansas City. Herbert continued to struggle, however, winning one game and losing eight in 23 games split almost evenly between starting and relieving. He then spent1956 and1957 back in Triple-A. Finally, in1958, at age 28, Herbert returned to the Major Leagues. He won 36 games while losing 40 for Kansas City (for awinning percentage of .474) before being traded to thefirst-division White Sox on June 10, 1961.
Herbert's 31⁄2 years with the ChiSox were his most successful. He went 48–32 (.600) in 109 games (all but two as a starter) and 7102⁄3 innings pitched. In1962, he had his best campaign, winning 20 games (losing nine) and making theAmerican LeagueAll-Star Team.[1] Appearing in thesecond All-Star Game held that summer, on July 30, 1962, atWrigley Field, Herbert hurled three scoreless innings of relief and was credited with the victory when the AL broke a 1–1 deadlock and went on to a 9–4 triumph. It would be the Junior Circuit's last All-Star win until1971. The following season, he led the1963American League inshutouts thrown, with seven. His workload was reduced in1964, but went 6–7 with a 3.47 ERA in 19 starts.
Herbert was traded to theNational LeaguePhiladelphia Phillies that offseason, where he worked as a spot starter in1965 (notching four complete games) and as a reliever in1966, his last year in baseball.
Herbert threw and battedright-handed, stood 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg). His fastball was described as a "sinking fastball that major league franchises dream of" and was also known to be a powerful batter at the plate, hitting 7 home runs in his career.[1]
In 407 career big-league games, Herbert had a win–loss record of 104–107 with 68 complete games, 13 shutouts and 15 saves. In 1,8811⁄3 total innings pitched, he allowed an even 2,000 hits and 571 bases on balls; hestruck out 864. A competent hitter, hebatted .192 lifetime with 109 hits, 21doubles, seven home runs and 51runs batted in. Defensively, he recorded a .975fielding percentage, which was 17 points higher than the league average at his position.
Herbert died after a long battle withAlzheimer's disease inPlymouth, Michigan, on December 20, 2022, at the age of 93.[4]