Ray King, a left-handed relief pitcher, spent nearly a decade in Major League Baseball, establishing himself as a reliable bullpen option for several teams. Born on January 15, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois, King attended Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he honed his skills on the mound before being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 8th round of the 1995 MLB Draft.
King's major league debut came on May 21, 1999, with the Chicago Cubs. Although his time with the Cubs was brief, it marked the beginning of a career that would see him don the uniforms of multiple teams. After his stint with the Cubs, King moved to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he played from 2000 to 2002. During his time with the Brewers, King began to establish himself as a dependable left-handed specialist, often called upon to face tough left-handed hitters in crucial situations.
In 2003, King joined the Atlanta Braves, where he enjoyed one of his most productive seasons. Appearing in 80 games, he posted a 3.51 ERA and helped the Braves secure a division title. His performance with Atlanta caught the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals, who acquired him in a trade before the 2004 season.
King's tenure with the Cardinals proved to be a highlight of his career. Over two seasons, he appeared in 147 games and maintained an impressive ERA of 2.91. His efforts were instrumental in helping the Cardinals reach the postseason in both 2004 and 2005, including a trip to the World Series in 2004, where they ultimately fell to the Boston Red Sox.
Following his successful run with the Cardinals, King continued his career with the Colorado Rockies in 2006. He then moved to the Washington Nationals in 2007, where he continued to be a reliable option out of the bullpen. King's final season in the majors came in 2008, during which he split time between the Nationals and the Cleveland Indians.
Throughout his career, King was known for his ability to neutralize left-handed hitters, a skill that made him a valuable asset to every bullpen he joined. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 593 games, posting a 3.46 ERA and recording 11 saves. His consistency and effectiveness in high-pressure situations earned him respect among teammates and opponents alike.
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