Ray Hayward

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=darkblue
bgcolor2=maroon
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Ray Hayward
position=Pitcher
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1961|4|27
debutdate=September 20
debutyear=by|1986
debutteam=San Diego Padres
finaldate=July 5
finalyear=by|1988
finalteam=Texas Rangers
stat1label=ERA
stat1value=6.75
stat2label=Record
stat2value=4-8
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=45
teams=
*San Diego Padres (1986-1987)
*Texas Rangers (1988)
highlights=
*none

Raymond Alton Hayward (born April 27, 1961 in Enid, Oklahoma) is a former left handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played from 1986 to 1988 for the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers. He was 6'1" tall and he weighed 190 pounds.

College career

Prior to playing professional baseball, Hayward attended the University of Oklahoma. In 1980, he went 9-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 93 innings of work. The following year, he went 9-2 with a 1.70 ERA, striking out 75 batters in 69 innings. He appeared in only three games in 1982, going 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA. In his final college season - 1983 - he went 7-6 with a 3.40 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 98 innings of work.

The draft

Originally, he was drafted in the 12th round of the 1982 amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Choosing not to sign that time, he was drafted 10th overall in the 1983 amateur draft by the Padres, at which time he did choose to sign.

Professional baseball

1983

Hayward began his professional career with the Beaumont Golden Gators, going 5-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings of work. He completed five and shutout two of the 10 games he started.

1984

In 1984, Hayward pitched for the Las Vegas Stars, going 9-6 with a 4.87 ERA. In 26 games (24 starts), he had one complete game and one shutout. He struck out 91 batters in 129 1/3 innings of work.

1985

Hayward did not play in 1985.

1986

Again pitching for Las Vegas in 1986, Hayward went 9-11 with a 4.63 ERA in 26 games (25 starts). He earned a late September call up, and on September 20 he made his big league debut. Making the start against Houston Astros ace Mike Scott, Hayward lasted only 1 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs. He'd start in two more games that year, going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA overall.

1987

1987 was Hayward's best minor league season since his professional rookie year. In 23 games (22 starts), he went 8-5 with a 3.10 ERA. In 142 1/3 innings, he struck out 115 batters. So impressive it was in fact that the Padres recalled him, and on June 10 he made his first big league appearance of the 1987 season. Over the span of a couple of weeks, he'd make four relief appearances, going 0-0 with a 16.50 ERA. In his first game back, he allowed six runs in an inning of work.

1988

On February 12, 1988, Hayward was traded with Goose Gossage to the Chicago Cubs for Keith Moreland and Mike Brumley. He was again traded on March 17, this time to the Rangers for Dave Meier and Greg Tabor.

Pitching for the Oklahoma City 89ers, Hayward went 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in eight games. He earned an extended stay with the Rangers that season, starting 12 games and going 4-6 with a 5.46 ERA. Hayward pitched in his final big league game on July 5, 1988.

1989

Although he would not play in the majors after 1988, he did continue to pitch in the minor leagues. Hayward did not play in 1989, however.

1990

He pitched for the 89ers in 1990, Hayward went 5-9 with a 5.16 ERA in 89 innings.

1991

1991 was Hayward's final professional season. He pitched for both the Tulsa Drillers and the 89ers, going a combined 3-6 with a 4.72 ERA in 76 1/3 innings.

Major league totals

Overall, Hayward went 4-8 with a 6.75 ERA, one complete game and one shutout in 19 games (15 starts). In 78 2/3 innings of work, he allowed 10 home runs and 42 walks, and he struck out 45 batters.

References

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/haywara01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/ray-hayward.shtml The Baseball Cube]