Ray Searage's journey through Major League Baseball began when he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 22nd round of the 1976 amateur draft. However, it wasn't until 1981 that he made his MLB debut with the New York Mets. As a left-handed pitcher, Searage was known for his ability to come out of the bullpen and deliver solid performances on the mound.
His time with the Mets was relatively short, and in 1982, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. It was with the Brewers that Searage found more stability, spending parts of four seasons with the team. During his tenure in Milwaukee, he became a reliable option for middle relief, appearing in 139 games and maintaining a respectable earned run average (ERA). His role was primarily to provide depth to the pitching staff, often being called upon to face tough left-handed hitters.
In 1986, Searage was on the move again, this time to the Chicago White Sox. His stint with the White Sox was brief, as he played only part of the season with them before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers, Searage continued to fulfill his role as a bullpen pitcher, contributing to the team's efforts in the latter part of the season.
The following year, Searage signed with the Houston Astros, where he spent two seasons. His time with the Astros saw him continue in a similar capacity, providing innings out of the bullpen and helping to stabilize the pitching staff. Searage's experience and ability to handle pressure situations made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for.
In 1990, Searage's playing career came to an end after a brief return to the Dodgers. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 254 games, posting a career ERA of 3.50. While he may not have been a household name, Searage's role as a dependable left-handed reliever was appreciated by the teams he played for.
After retiring as a player, Searage transitioned into coaching, where he found a new avenue to share his knowledge and experience. His post-playing career included a long tenure as a pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was credited with helping to develop and improve the performance of many pitchers.
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