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100%, 1st Ballot, Class of 1997
Springfield(1978~1981), Dayton(1982~1987, 1989~1994), Oshkosh(1987~1988), Duluth(1995)
"He's a hustle guy with five tools," said Ray Gray's Springfield teammate Brendan O'Bryan just hours after the HBL rookie dove into the stands to catch a foul ball on a lazy September day in 1978 with the Storm 28 games out of first place. "That will either define him as a great baseball player or it will destory him." Well Brendan, it not only defined him but it took him all the way to the Heartland Baseball League Hall of Fame. Gray did have his share of injuries over the years missing over 180 games but he was a viable everyday player through 1992 at the age of 37.
As durable as anyone Gray missed just 12 games from 1978~1992 that he wasn't on the disable list. When he was on the field he was all out, all the time. He spent his first four seasons with the Storm where Springfield finished above .500 in each of the two seasons in which Gray was on the field for 140+ games and well under .500 in the two seasons he did not.
He became a free agent following the 1981 season and signed a four year contract to play for the Dayton Dawgs. Dayton's win total increased from 74 to 92 in Gray's first season with the team and "Stinky" had what many experts consider to be the best season of his career. He set a record for runs scored in a season with 128 while hitting over .300 and belting 33 homers and stealing 40 bases. He also played Best Fielder level defense posting a +9.1 ZR at shortstop. The Dawgs tied rival Canton for the South League title but would lose a one game playoff to the Kernels for a shot at a title.
The Dawgs again finished second in 1983 and Gray became the face of the franchise as it won fewer games for four straight seasons. When his contract was up following the 1985 season many thought Gray would again hit the free agent market but he instead signed another four year deal with the Dawgs. He won his only Best Hitter Award following the 1986 season but was disappointed in the 74 wins that Dayton managed.
At the 1987 trade deadline Oshkosh came a knocking and the Dawgs answered the door trading Gray to the North powerhouse for four prospects. Gray would finally get his shot at a Heartland Series Championship with the Outlaws and he did not disappoint easily winning the HLS MVP in a four game sweep of those pesky Kernels. The Outlaws would go back to back winning a thrilling, seven game series over the Jefferson City Jackalopes in 1988.
Following the 1987 championship Gray asked the Outlaws to trade him back to his "home" and before the Oshkosh clubhouse carpet was dry he was again a Dayton Dawg where he would play out the remaining years of his career.
Ray Gray was more than just numbers but if it's numbers you want he has those as well. He retired with 10 All-Star games(including the 1980 AS Game MVP) and three Best Fielder Awards. He finished his career in the top five all time in games, runs, hits, total bases, singles, doubles, homers, RBI, bases on balls, and WAR.
Career Highlight
Gray is one of just three players to claim at least one each Hitter of the Year, Heartland Series MVP, and All-Star Game MVP.
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