Jeff Gray (1980s pitcher)

Infobox_Person
name = Jeff Gray

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imagesize = 150px
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birth_date = April 10, 1963
birth_place = Richmond, Virginia
education =
alma_mater = Florida State University
occupation = Professional baseball player
residence =
spouse =
children =
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nationality = American

Jeffrey Edward Gray (born April 10, 1963 in Richmond, Virginia) is a former relief pitcher in Major League who played between 1988 and 1991 for the Cincinnati Reds (1988) and Boston Red Sox (1990-91). Listed at 6' 1", 175 lb., Gray batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1984 out of the Florida State University.

A forkball specialist, Gray started his professional career in 1984 in the Phillies minor league system, playing for them two years before joining the Cincinnati organization. In 1986, he posted a 14-2 record with a 2.35 ERA and 15 saves for Double-A Vermont, and in 1988, he went 8-5 with five saves and a 1.97 in 42 appearances for Triple-A Nashville, gaining promotion to the Reds during the midseason. He recorded a 3.86 ERA in five games and did not have a decision, returning to Triple-A the next year. Then, he returned to Philadelphia before the 1990 season.

At the end of the 1990 spring training, Gray was told by the Phillies that he had not made the club, as they asked him to go onto their Double-A Reading. Gray rejected the offer and signed with Triple-A Pawtucket, arriving to the Boston Red Sox during the midseason to become a significant contributor to the American League division winners. Grey collected nine saves, but seven of them came in seven chances from August 19 through September 10 as he filled in for injured closer Jeff Reardon.

On July 28, 1991, Gray was preparing to go out onto the field for his daily routine. He never made it, as his right side went numb, and he suffered what was diagnosed as a kind of stroke (CVA), ending what had been a brilliant season. One of the best middle relievers of the league at this time, he allowed only 39 hits in 61 ⅔ innings as he had a 2.34 ERA. On the other hand, opposing batters hit a .181 average against him (LH .200, RH .161), the best of any reliever but Brian Harvey. He also went down in July and still finished third in the league with 19 holds. He did not recuperate and never returned to baseball action.

In a three-season career, Gray posted a 4-7 record with a 3.33 ERA and 10 saves in 96 appearances, including a 3.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio (96-to-29) in 121 ⅔ innings of work.

Transactions

*Traded by Philadelphia along with John Denny to Cincinnati in exchange for Gary Redus and Tom Hume (June 14, 1984).
*Sent by Cincinnati to Philadelphia to complete an earlier deal for Bob Sebra (September 6, 1989).
*Signed as a free agent with the Red Sox (April 7, 1990).

ources

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/grayje01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/jeff-gray.shtml The Baseball Cube]
* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/G/Pgrayj001.htm Retrosheet]
*"The Scouting Report: 1992", STATS, INC./John Dewan and Don Zminda editors, HarperPerennial Publishers.