Otto Ray

Otto C. "Jaybird" Ray (born May 19, 1893 in Lexington, Missouri - January 19, 1976 in Liberty, Missouri) was a Catcher and Outfielder in the Negro leagues. Monarchs team mate George Carr said of Ray during the White Sox Winter League that Ray could not only catch, but could also back up first base.[1]

Otto C. "Jaybird" Ray
Catcher
Born: May 19, 1893 Lexington, Missouri
Died: January 19, 1976 (aged 82) Liberty, Missouri
Batted: Both Threw: Right
debut
1920, for the Kansas City Monarchs
Last appearance
1926, for the Gilkerson's Union Giants
Teams
Kansas City Monarchs (1920–1921) Los Angeles White Sox (1920–1921) [1] Chicago Giants (1921) St. Louis Stars (1922–1923) Cleveland Tate Stars (1923–1924) Cleveland Browns (1924) [2] Gilkerson's Union Giants (1926)[3]

Under Sol White, Ray managed the Cleveland Browns in their only season in 1924.[2]

Ray died in Liberty, Missouri at the age of 82. He is buried at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.

References

1. "Baseball - Carr and McNair Write from Sunny California" Kansas City Sun, Kansas City, MO February 5, 1921
2. "Prime Sports News" The Gazette, Cleveland, Ohio, Saturday, July 24, 1934, Page 2, Columns 3 and 4
3. "Gilkerson Union Giants Swamp Knights of Columbus Nine 11 to 4" Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, IA, Monday Evening, June 21, 1926, Page 7, Columns 1 and 2

External links

• Negro league baseball statistics and player information from Seamheads.com, or Baseball-Reference (Negro leagues)