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Ray Fosse
Ray Fosse
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Raymond Earl Fosse (April 4, 1947 – October 13, 2021) was an American professional baseball player and television sports color commentator. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher from 1967 to 1979, most prominently as an All-Star player for the Cleveland Indians, and then as a two-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics dynasty of the early 1970s.[1] He also played for the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers.[1] After his playing career, Fosse was a popular television and radio color commentator for the Athletics.

Key Information

Fosse was selected by the Indians to become the team's first draft pick when MLB implemented its first amateur draft in 1965. Fosse was a two-time All-Star and won two Gold Glove Awards in a playing career that was marred by numerous injuries.[2] In 2001, Fosse was voted one of the 100 greatest players in Cleveland Indians' history by a panel of veteran baseball writers, executives and historians.[3] He was named to the Oakland Athletics' 50th-anniversary team in 2018.[3] In 2022, Fosse was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.[4]

Early life and career

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Fosse was born in Marion, Illinois, where he grew up listening to the St. Louis Cardinals on the radio.[5] He considered Stan Musial to be his favorite player.[5] Fosse played as a catcher for the Marion High School baseball team and was named the team's Most Valuable Player three consecutive years.[1][2] He also played football and basketball in high school.[2] After high school, Fosse attended Southern Illinois University.[3]

Professional career

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Cleveland Indians

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The Cleveland Indians selected Fosse in the first round of the 1965 MLB draft.[6] Fosse played three seasons in the minor leagues before making his major-league debut with the Indians on September 8, 1967, at the age of 20.[1][7] He returned to the minor leagues for the 1968 season, where he posted a .301 batting average in 103 games for the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League.[7]

Returning to the Indians in 1970, he platooned alongside Duke Sims.[2] In the first half of 1970, he posted a .313 batting average with 16 home runs and 45 runs batted in.[2] He hit in 23 consecutive games beginning June 9, the longest American League (AL) hitting streak since 1961,[2] and was chosen as a reserve for the 1970 All-Star Game by Earl Weaver, the American League manager.[2]

In the final play of the 1970 All-Star Game, Fosse was injured in a collision with Pete Rose at home plate.[8][9] Initial X-rays revealed no fractures or other damage, although a re-examination the following year found Fosse had sustained a fractured and separated shoulder, which healed incorrectly, causing chronic pain that was never entirely resolved.[10] Rose asserted that he was simply trying to win the game, and that Fosse — who had moved a few feet up the third-base line to receive the throw[10] — was blocking the plate, but Rose was widely criticized for over-aggressive play in an exhibition game.[10] Fosse went on to play 42 games in the second half of the season, hitting .297 and winning the AL Gold Glove Award,[1] but said that he was never as good a batter after the injury.[11][12]

Fosse continued to be plagued by injuries in 1971 when he was kicked in his right hand during a brawl against the Detroit Tigers on June 18,[13] sustaining a gash that required five stitches and sidelined him for more than a week.[1][2] When he returned, he tore a ligament in his left hand during an at-bat against Denny McLain, forcing him to miss the 1971 All-Star Game.[2] Despite these injuries, Fosse appeared in 133 games and led the league's catchers in assists and in double plays to win his second consecutive Gold Glove Award.[14][15] He also posted a .276 batting average and contributed 12 home runs and a career-high 62 runs batted in for the last place Indians.[1]

Fosse's contributions at calling pitches was evident when Indians pitcher Gaylord Perry won the American League Cy Young Award in 1972. Perry gave Fosse credit for his success: "I've got to split it up and give part, a big part, to my catcher, Ray Fosse. He kept pushing me in games when I didn't have good stuff. He'd come out and show me that big fist of his when I wasn't bearing down the way he thought I should."[2]

Oakland Athletics

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Fosse was acquired along with Jack Heidemann by the Oakland Athletics from the Indians for Dave Duncan and George Hendrick on March 24, 1973.[16] He played in 143 games that season, the most of his career, on a team with three 20-game-winning pitchers: Ken Holtzman, Vida Blue, and Catfish Hunter.[17] Fosse guided the Athletics pitching staff to the second best team earned run average as well the second most shutouts in the American League as, the Athletics won the AL Western Division pennant by six games over the Kansas City Royals.[18] The Athletics then defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Championship Series.[19][20] Fosse made his mark in the series, throwing out five would-be base stealers.[2] The Athletics went on to win the World Series against the New York Mets.[21]

The Athletics repeated as world champions in 1974, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, but injuries once again plagued Fosse.[2][22] On June 5, he suffered a crushed disc in his neck attempting to break up a locker room fight between teammates Reggie Jackson and Billy North, and spent three months on the disabled list.[2] The Athletics won a fifth consecutive division title in 1975, but by then, Gene Tenace had replaced Fosse as the starting catcher.[2] Fosse did participate in a combined no-hitter in the final game of the season, catching for Paul Lindblad and Rollie Fingers in the final three innings.[23]

Later career

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Fosse returned to the Indians when his contract was sold by the Athletics at the Winter Meetings on December 9, 1975.[24] He again became the starting catcher, only to return to the disabled list after a home-plate collision with Jim Rice.[2] When he returned he was platooned with Alan Ashby.[2] Fosse ended the year with a .301 batting average.[1] On May 30, 1977, he caught Dennis Eckersley's no-hitter versus the California Angels.[25][26] Eckersley acknowledged Fosse's contribution to the no-hitter: "Give Fosse a lot of credit too," he said. "He called a helluva game. I think I only shook him off three times."[2] When Jeff Torborg replaced Frank Robinson as manager of the Indians in June 1977, he again placed Fosse in a platoon role with Fred Kendall. In September, he was traded to the new Seattle Mariners.[2][27]

After finishing the year with the Mariners, he signed a contract to play for the Milwaukee Brewers,[27] but during spring training, he tripped in a hole while running down the first base line and sustained injuries to his right leg.[2] The most serious injury required the reconstruction of a knee ligament, forcing him to miss the entire season.[2] He came back in 1979, but played in only 19 games; in 1980, he was released at the close of spring training.[2]

Career statistics

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In a 12-year MLB career, Fosse played in 924 games, accumulating 758 hits in 2,957 at bats for a .256 career batting average along with 61 home runs, 324 runs batted in, and a .301 on-base percentage.[1] He ended his career with a .986 fielding percentage.[1] Fosse led AL catchers in 1970 with 854 putouts and 48 baserunners caught stealing, and in range factor (7.81).[1] In 1971 he led the league with 73 assists, and in 1973, he led AL catchers in baserunners caught stealing and in caught stealing percentage.[1]

Fosse was a member of two World Series Champion clubs: the 1973 and 1974 A's, and also a member of the inaugural Seattle Mariners team of 1977.[21][22][28] He won Gold Glove Awards in 1970 and 1971.[15] Fosse was named to the 100 Greatest Cleveland Indians in 2001.[29]

Fosse in 2012

Television and radio career

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From 1986 to 2021, Fosse was a color commentator for the Oakland Athletics on NBC Sports California and occasionally on Athletics radio broadcasts when a game was not on local television.[3] In 2004, he was nominated for a Ford C. Frick Award.[30]

Personal life and death

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Fosse married his wife Carol in April 1970.[31] They maintained residences in Oakland, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona.[10]

On August 5, 2021, Fosse revealed that he had been battling cancer for the past 16 years, and needed to step away from his job as an announcer to focus on his treatment.[32] Fosse died of cancer on October 13, 2021, at the age of 74.[33]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ray Fosse (April 4, 1947 – October 13, 2021) was an American professional baseball who played 12 seasons in (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, , Seattle Mariners, and Milwaukee Brewers, compiling a career of .256 with two Gold Glove Awards at catcher and appearances in the 1973 and with the Athletics. Born in , Fosse was a three-sport star in high school and was selected by the Indians in the first round (seventh overall) of the MLB Draft out of Marion High School. His career is notably marked by a severe shoulder injury sustained during the when second baseman collided with him at home plate while scoring the game-winning run, an incident that fractured and separated his shoulder and is said to have altered the trajectory of his playing career. After retiring as a player, Fosse transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a for the from 1986 to 2021 and earning induction into the team's Hall of Fame in 2022 for his contributions both on and off the field.

Early life

Childhood and high school

Raymond Earl Fosse was born on April 4, 1947, in , to parents Wayne and Pauline Fosse. He grew up in a modest family with an older brother, Jerry, and a younger brother, Jim, in the small town known for its coal mining heritage. From a young age, Fosse developed a passion for , often riding his to Little League games during the summers. He idolized St. Louis Cardinals legend , listening to Cardinals broadcasts on the radio and attending games at whenever possible. In third grade, Fosse boldly told his teacher that he aspired to become a player, a dream that shaped his early years. Fosse attended Marion High School, where he excelled as a three-sport , lettering in football as a fullback, as a forward, and as a . He began playing infield as a freshman before switching to in his year, earning honors for the team in each of his final three seasons (1963–1965). His standout performances included batting averages of .475 as a , .535 as a junior, and .465 as a senior, with four home runs in his final year; he led the team to the Illinois Regional Finals that season.

College and amateur career

Following his graduation from Marion High School, where he earned MVP honors as a three-sport athlete, Fosse enrolled at in , in 1965. While pursuing his education, he entered directly from high school via the inaugural amateur draft on June 8, 1965, when the Indians selected him seventh overall in the first round. Scouts praised his strong throwing arm and defensive prowess as a , which had been evident in high school showcases and all-star games that elevated his draft stock. Fosse signed with the Indians for a $28,000 bonus and reported immediately to their Double-A affiliate, the Reading Indians of the Eastern League, for his professional debut in 1965. In 55 games as the primary , he batted .219 with solid defensive play, including a low passed-ball rate that highlighted his handling of pitchers. In 1966, Fosse was assigned to the Class A Reno Silver in the , where he flourished offensively and defensively. Appearing in 116 games, primarily behind the plate, he hit .304 with 1 and 54 RBIs, demonstrating improved plate discipline and power while throwing out 42% of attempted base stealers. Fosse's rapid progression continued in 1967 with the Triple-A Portland Beavers of the , missing the first part of the season while attending . In 75 games, he batted .261 with 2 home runs and 28 RBIs, earning praise for his game-calling and arm strength that limited runners to a 35% success rate on attempts. This positioned him for a late-season call-up to the majors.

Professional playing career

Cleveland Indians years

Ray Fosse made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on September 8, 1967, at age 20, in a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Athletics at . Batting eighth and catching for starter , Fosse went 0-for-3 at the plate, grounding out in his first at-bat, but handled the defensive duties capably behind the plate during Siebert's . His brief appearance that September included just seven games and a .063 over 16 at-bats, signaling the start of a promising career for the first-round draft pick from 1965. After limited action in 1968 and 1969—appearing in 37 games with a .172 average in the latter year—Fosse emerged as the Indians' primary in 1970, starting on and solidifying his role through consistent performance. That season, he achieved a career-high .307 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs over 120 games, earning his first selection as a reserve behind starting catcher Bill Freehan. His offensive breakout, combined with strong defensive play, positioned him as one of the American League's top backstops early in the year. Fosse's All-Star appearance on July 14, 1970, at Cincinnati's became a defining and tragic moment in a 5-4 National League victory that extended to 12 innings. With two outs in the bottom of the 12th and the score tied, , representing the tying run at third base, barreled toward home on Jim Hickman's single; Fosse, positioned to receive the throw, braced for a tag but was leveled by Rose's lowered , which dislodged Fosse's mitt and sent him somersaulting backward in agony before 51,838 fans. The collision scored the winning run but inflicted a separated right on Fosse—initially diagnosed as a bruise, later revealed as a —that caused persistent pain and diminished power for the remainder of his career. Defensively, Fosse excelled during his Indians tenure, winning the first of two consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 1970 for his superior handling of pitchers and fielding prowess. That year, he led AL catchers with 854 putouts, showcasing arm strength and accuracy that limited base runners effectively. He repeated as a Gold Glove winner and was selected for the in 1971, batting .276 with 12 home runs amid a 133-game campaign, though the shoulder injury's lingering effects began to impact his durability. As the Indians entered a rebuilding phase following the October 1972 trade of ace pitcher to the Texas Rangers, they dealt Fosse to the on March 24, 1973, along with infielder Jack Heidemann, in exchange for outfielder and catcher Dave Duncan to bolster their lineup and catching depth.

Oakland Athletics tenure

Fosse joined the via trade from the Cleveland Indians on March 24, 1973, becoming a key component of the "" dynasty that captured three consecutive titles from 1972 to 1974. In his first season with Oakland, Fosse appeared in a career-high 143 games, batting .256 with 7 home runs and 52 RBIs while providing steady catching duties behind the plate. His defensive excellence stood out, as he led American League catchers with 52 baserunners for a 55.9% success rate, earning Glove-caliber recognition despite not winning the award that year. The Athletics advanced to the against the , prevailing in seven games to claim the championship. Fosse started all seven contests, contributing defensively with a pivotal tag on Mets at home plate in Game 2's 10th inning, a controversial call that helped preserve a tie before Oakland's eventual victory in the series. Offensively, he batted .158 (3-for-19) with 1 RBI across the series. The following year, Oakland repeated as champions by defeating the 4-1. Fosse appeared in all five games, delivering a crucial solo off in the second inning of Game 5 to extend the A's lead in a 3-2 clincher; he finished 2-for-14 overall in the series. Fosse's tenure was marred by injuries, including lingering effects from Pete Rose's infamous collision at the 1970 All-Star Game that contributed to his overall physical decline. On , 1974, during a heated clubhouse altercation between teammates and Billy North, Fosse intervened to separate them, resulting in a crushed disc and pinched nerve in his neck that required surgery and sidelined him until August 26. The injury limited him to 69 games in 1974, where he hit .196 with 4 home runs and 23 RBIs, and his percentage dropped to 35.2%. By 1975, persistent pain and reduced mobility confined Fosse to 82 games with a .140 average, 0 home runs, and 12 RBIs, as he was increasingly relegated to and roles. The released him after the season, citing his diminished performance amid ongoing health issues.

Later teams and retirement

Fosse returned to the Cleveland Indians prior to the 1976 season when owner sold his contract to the team on December 9, 1975. In 90 games that year, he batted .301 while sharing catching duties with . The following season, Fosse caught Dennis Eckersley's against the California Angels on May 30, 1977, at , a 1-0 victory in which Eckersley struck out 12 batters. On September 9, 1977, the Indians traded Fosse to the Mariners for pitcher Bill Laxton and cash, marking his brief appearance in the expansion team's inaugural season. He played in 11 games for , batting .353 in limited action as the third behind the plate. Fosse signed as a with the Brewers on December 31, 1977, but missed the entire 1978 season after suffering knee and hamstring injuries in when he tripped in a hole while running the bases. His cumulative injury history from earlier in his career, including shoulder damage from the 1970 , further limited his mobility and playing time. He appeared in just 19 games for in 1979, batting .231. The Brewers released Fosse during in 1980, effectively ending his playing career after 12 seasons and 924 games, during which he batted .256 with 61 home runs and 324 RBIs. Following retirement, Fosse transitioned into producing instructional videos for TRS Video Sports Productions, collaborating with former teammates to demonstrate techniques, which served as an initial bridge to his later broadcasting work.

Career statistics and accomplishments

Playing statistics

Ray Fosse played 12 seasons in from 1967 to 1979, primarily as a , compiling a career of .256 with 61 home runs and 324 runs batted in over 924 games. His offensive production peaked in 1970 with a .307 and 18 home runs, but declined in later years due to injuries, including a notable collision during the 1970 that affected his durability. Overall, Fosse's batting contributed to a career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 12.8, reflecting solid but not elite production at the plate for a defensively oriented . Defensively, Fosse excelled behind the plate, posting a career fielding of .985 over 7,171.1 innings caught, with 5,616 putouts, 445 assists, and 88 errors. He led the in putouts with 854 in 1970 while playing for the Cleveland Indians. In 1971, Fosse topped the AL in assists among catchers with 73. He also paced the league in runners with 52 in 1973 during his time with the . These defensive contributions underscored his reputation as a reliable handler of pitchers and baserunners, though passed balls occasionally proved a weakness, with a career total of 71. The following table summarizes Fosse's year-by-year batting statistics, highlighting key metrics such as games played (G), at-bats (AB), hits (H), home runs (HR), runs batted in (RBI), and batting average (AVG).
YearTeamGABHHRRBIAVG
1967CLE716100.063
1968CLE10000.000
1969CLE371162029.172
1970CLE1204501381861.307
1971CLE1334861341262.276
1972CLE1344571101041.241
1973OAK143492126752.256
1974OAK6920440423.196
1975OAK8213619012.140
1976CLE9027683230.301
1977CLE/SEA8927275632.276
1979MIL19521202.231
Career-9242,95775861324.256

Awards and records

During his tenure with the Cleveland Indians, Ray Fosse earned two consecutive selections in 1970 and 1971. He also received two Gold Glove Awards as the AL's top defensive in those same years, recognizing his exceptional fielding behind the plate. These honors were bolstered by his statistical leaderships, including a league-high 854 putouts among catchers in 1970. Fosse contributed to the Oakland Athletics' success in the early 1970s, earning World Series championship rings as a key reserve catcher in 1973 and 1974. In 1973, he led AL catchers with 52 baserunners caught stealing, achieving a 55.9% caught stealing percentage. Following his playing career, Fosse received posthumous recognition for his contributions to the Athletics, including induction into the Oakland Athletics Hall of Fame on August 7, 2022, as part of a six-member class. He was also honored with induction into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, acknowledging his roots and professional achievements.

Broadcasting career

Oakland Athletics role

Ray Fosse joined the ' broadcast team in 1986 as a color commentator for radio broadcasts, initially partnering with play-by-play announcers and . His role expanded to television in 1986, when he began contributing to telecasts on , serving alongside announcers such as , , and Ted Robinson. Over the course of 36 seasons from 1986 to 2021, Fosse became a fixture in the Athletics' booth, providing analysis on both radio and TV platforms. Fosse's broadcasting partnerships evolved with the team's announcing staff, notably including longtime collaborations with until King's passing in 2005 and Ken Korach, who joined the radio team in 1996 and continued as the primary play-by-play voice. These pairings allowed Fosse to contribute to coverage spanning multiple eras of Athletics baseball, from the late-1980s success under manager to the playoff runs of the and . His prior experience as a for the Athletics from 1973 to 1975 lent him unique expertise in dissecting plays from behind the plate. Known for his insightful, straightforward style, Fosse offered analysis grounded in his playing background, often breaking down pitching strategies and defensive nuances for listeners and viewers. This approach made him particularly valuable during high-stakes moments, such as his color commentary for the Athletics' sweep of the Giants in the , where he highlighted the team's dominant performance. Similarly, in the 2014 Wild Card Game against the , Fosse's TV broadcast with captured the dramatic late-inning collapse, providing context on the Athletics' resilient but ultimately heartbreaking season. Throughout his tenure, Fosse chronicled the remnants of the A's 1970s dynasty through stories and anecdotes, connecting generations of fans to the franchise's storied history.

Industry recognition

In recognition of his contributions to baseball broadcasting, Ray Fosse was nominated for the , the Baseball Hall of Fame's honor for excellence in , in 2004. Fosse's extensive tenure with the , spanning over four decades in various roles, culminated in his posthumous induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, acknowledging both his playing achievements and his enduring legacy as a broadcaster. The induction ceremony, held on August 6, 2022, at the , highlighted his Emmy Award-winning work behind the microphone, including his 2003 Emmy Award for . Following his death on October 13, 2021, Fosse received the ' Monte Moore Award for excellence in broadcasting in 2022, presented to his family during a pregame ceremony before an Athletics-Giants matchup. The team also wore a commemorative patch on their jerseys throughout the 2022 season in his honor. News of Fosse's passing prompted widespread tributes from fellow broadcasters, former teammates, and fans, who praised his insightful commentary and approachable demeanor during his 36 seasons calling games. teams, including the and Giants, observed moments of silence at games in the days following his death to commemorate his impact on the sport. No major memorial events or additional awards for Fosse were reported between 2023 and 2025.

Personal life

Family and residences

Ray Fosse married Carol Elizabeth Mancuso on April 4, 1970, in the city where they first met during his days in . The couple, who shared a deep commitment to family throughout their 51 years together, welcomed their first daughter, Nikki, on September 24, 1975—the same day the clinched the division title. Their second daughter, Lindsey, was born on October 8, 1982, and both daughters later married, giving Ray and Carol four grandchildren. Fosse's early life was rooted in , where he was born and raised, developing his passion for on local fields. As his professional career progressed, family residences shifted to accommodate team affiliations, eventually settling in , and , where the Fosses maintained homes for decades. These moves allowed the family to stay connected to the Bay Area's community while enjoying the quieter lifestyle in .

Health issues and death

Fosse suffered long-term consequences from a shoulder injury sustained during the 1970 All-Star Game, when he was collided with at home plate by ; the injury, a separated and fractured that went undiagnosed initially, never healed properly and contributed to chronic and persistent described by Fosse as feeling "like a knife stuck" in the joint due to bone-on-bone contact. In 1974, while playing for the , Fosse incurred a severe injury after intervening in a dugout altercation between teammates and on June 5, resulting in a crushed disk, pinched , and damage to six vertebrae that led to lasting stiffness and reduced mobility. These accumulated traumas, compounded by the physical demands of catching, resulted in overall , multiple surgeries, and unrelenting discomfort that affected his daily life in retirement. On August 5, 2021, Fosse publicly disclosed that he had been battling cancer for 16 years, a fight he had kept private while continuing his broadcasting work; the revelation came as he stepped away from the ' broadcast booth to focus on treatment. His wife, Carol, whom he had been married to for 51 years, provided steadfast support throughout his illness. Fosse died on October 13, 2021, at the age of 74, following his prolonged struggle with cancer. The expressed profound grief, stating they were "heartbroken" and that Fosse "epitomize what it means to be an Oakland Athletic" through his playing and broadcasting legacy, while NBC Sports California noted their deep sadness over the loss of a beloved colleague. Public tributes poured in from the community, with fans and former players recalling his humility, knowledge, and positive impact, often sharing personal stories of his warmth and dedication. Following his death, Fosse received posthumous honors, including induction into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022, with a pregame on August 7 attended by and featuring tributes from teammates and broadcasters; the team also unveiled a memorial jersey patch and an outfield wall sign in his honor during the 2022 season. No major anniversary events were reported in 2025.

References

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