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Ray Hayworth
Ray Hayworth
Ray Hayworth
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Raymond Hall Hayworth (January 29, 1904 – September 25, 2002) was an American professional baseball player, manager and scout.[1] He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball between 1926 and 1945, most notably as a member of the Detroit Tigers team that won two consecutive American League pennants in 1934 and 1935 and won the 1935 World Series.[1] He was employed in professional baseball for nearly 50 years from 1926 to 1973.

Key Information

A native of High Point, North Carolina, Hayworth played professional baseball for 15 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers (1929–1938), Brooklyn Dodgers (1939, 1944–1945), New York Giants (1939), and St. Louis Browns (1942).[1] He posted a .265 career batting average with five home runs and 238 RBIs in 699 games played.[1] A strong defensive catcher, he set an American League record by handling 438 consecutive total chances as a catcher without an error.

Following his playing career, Hayworth managed the Fort Worth Cats in 1946 and Macon Peaches in 1947. He also scouted the Negro leagues for Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946 and then continued scouting for more than 25 years for the Chicago Cubs (1947–1959), the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1960–1970), and the Montreal Expos (1971–1973).

Early years

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Hayworth was born in 1904 in High Point, North Carolina.[1] He grew up as one of nine children in a Quaker family raised in a Quaker settlement south of High Point. His father had a tobacco and cotton farm and operated a store. He began playing baseball in grade school. He and three of his brothers played baseball. His brother Red Hayworth also played in the major leagues. Hayworth was a pitcher in high school and began playing catcher at the Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, North Carolina.[2][3]

Professional baseball

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Detroit Tigers

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In January 1926, Hayworth was discovered at Oak Ridge by Detroit Tigers' scout Billy Doyle. Doyle signed Hayworth for $250.[4] He began the 1926 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League, but he was called up when Johnny Bassler broke his leg and then Larry Woodall was also injured with a spike wound in his knee.[5] He ended up playing 12 games for the 1926 Tigers, compiling a .233 batting average.[1] Ty Cobb was Hayworth's manager in 1926.

He spent the 1927 and 1928 seasons in the minor leagues, playing for the Nashville Volunteers of the Southern Association and the Shreveport Sports of the Texas League. He hit a career-high 13 home runs with Shreveport in 1928.[6]

He began the 1929 season with the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association where he played 73 games and hit for a career-high .330 batting average under manager Casey Stengel.[6] Hayworth later recalled that Stengel influenced him more than anyone else.[7]

Hayworth was recalled by the Tigers later in the 1929 season and appeared in 14 games, hitting for a .256 average.[1] He remained with the Tigers for nearly a decade through the start of the 1938 season. He received significant playing time with 77 games 1930, 88 games in 1931, 109 games in 1932, and 134 games in 1933.[1]

Hayworth led the American League with 11 passed balls in 1930, but he quickly established himself as one of the best defensive catchers in the American League from 1931 to 1933.[1] He set an American League record for the most consecutive chances by a catcher without an error at 439, over a span of 97 games from September 2, 1931, to August 29, 1932. The previous record was set by Johnny Bassler with 285 chances.[8][9] In 1932, Hayworth hit .293 and ranked among the league's top catchers with a .991 fielding percentage (second), 59 assists (third), a 4.99 range factor per nine innings (third), 399 putouts (fourth), 31 runners caught stealing (fourth), and eight double plays turned (fifth).[1] He ranked among the leaders again in 1933 with a .994 fielding percentage (second), 44 runners caught stealing (second), a 5.33 range factor per nine innings (second), 546 putouts (third), 79 assists (third), and 14 double plays turned (third).[1]

On December 12, 1933, the Tigers acquired Hall of Fame catcher Mickey Cochrane in a trade with the Philadelphia Athletics. With Cochrane's arrival, Hayworth's playing time was reduced to 54 games in 1934 and 51 games in 1935.[1] The Tigers won the American League pennant in both of those seasons with Cochrane as player-manager. Despite the limited playing time, Hayworth hit .293 in 1934 and .309 in 1935.[1] Hayworth attributed his higher average in 1934 and 1935 to having Cochrane facing right-handed pitchers and leaving Hayworth to face only left-handed pitchers.[10]

Cochrane suffered a nervous breakdown during the 1936 season, and Hayworth was called on to catch 81 games. He led the league's catchers with a .988 fielding percentage in 1936.[1] Rudy York became the Tigers' starting catcher in 1937, and Hayworth was limited to 30 games in 1937 and eight games in 1938.[1]

Brooklyn, New York and St. Louis

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On September 14, 1938, Hayworth was selected off waivers by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Tigers.[11] He appeared in 26 games for the Dodgers in 1938 and 1939.[1]

On September 9, 1939, the Dodgers sent Hayworth to the New York Giants in exchange for $6,000 and in completion of another deal made two days earlier.[12] He appeared in only five games for the Giants and was released on December 4, 1940.[1]

Hayworth signed with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association in the spring of 1941. He appeared in 40 games for the Brewers, but was released at the end of June.[6][13]

Hayworth next signed with the St. Louis Browns as a free agent in March 1942.[14] He appeared in only one game and was given an unconditional release in mid-May.[1][15] He finished the 1942 season playing for the Rochester Red Wings of the International League.[6]

In February 1944, Hayworth signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers who needed an insurance policy in case the team's regular catchers were called to wartime duty.[16] Hayworth remained with the Dodgers in 1944 and 1945 but appeared in only nine games.[1] Interviewed by The Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1944, Hayworth said he intended to keep playing until his knees "buckle under me," adding: "Baseball is full of regrets when you come down to your last innings. Just when you learn how to play it one morning you wake up with a crick in your knee and you realize you're washed up. It would be great turn back the clock on the outfield wall 10 years. But I guess the same thing could be said of life, too."[17]

Managerial and scouting career

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In December 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey hired Hayworth to take over as manager of the club's Texas League affiliate, the Fort Worth Cats.[18] Hayworth coached at Fort Worth during the 1946 season and also worked as a scout for Rickey and the Dodgers in the Negro leagues.[6][19]

In 1947, Hayworth became manager of the Macon Peaches, a Chicago Cubs affiliate.[6] He went on to scout for the Cubs from 1947 to 1959, serving as the club's chief of scouting operations in 1959. He later scouted for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1960–1970) and the Montreal Expos (1971–1973).[20] He scouted Ernie Banks for the Cubs and arranged to buy Banks' contract for $22,000.[21][22]

Family and later years

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Hayworth was married in 1927 to Virginia Jones.[23] They two sons, Raymond Jr. and John D. His grandson, J. D. Hayworth, was a Republican Party member of the United States House of Representatives from Arizona.[24]

In 2002, Hayworth died in Salisbury, North Carolina, at age of 98.[1] At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former major league player.[25] He was buried at Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.

References

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Ray Hayworth

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from Grokipedia
Ray Hayworth is an American professional baseball catcher known for his exceptional defensive skills and a Major League Baseball career spanning 1926 to 1945, most notably with the Detroit Tigers where he contributed to two American League pennants. Renowned for his strong, accurate arm and reliability behind the plate, he set an American League record for consecutive errorless games by a catcher and was regarded as one of the better defensive catchers of his era. Hayworth spent the bulk of his career with the Detroit Tigers, serving primarily as a backup to Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane during the team's successful 1934 and 1935 seasons, though he appeared in one game of the 1934 World Series. He also played briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and St. Louis Browns before retiring as a player. After his playing days ended, he continued in professional baseball as a coach in the minors and majors, and as a longtime scout for teams including the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, and Montreal Expos. Born Raymond Hall Hayworth on January 29, 1904, in High Point, North Carolina, he passed away on September 25, 2002, in Salisbury, North Carolina, at the age of 98, at which time he was the oldest living former major league player and the last surviving Detroit Tigers teammate of Ty Cobb.

Early life

Family background and childhood

Raymond Hall Hayworth was born on January 29, 1904, in High Point, North Carolina, to Mary Emma Hepler Hayworth and John Ensley Hayworth, growing up as one of nine children in a Quaker family. His father supported the large family through multiple roles, owning a grocery store and meat market while also operating a 30-acre tobacco farm that provided vegetables for the store and included a small amount of cotton. All the children contributed to the farm work, performing daily chores essential to the family's operations. The Hayworths depended on mules and horses for transportation and farm labor, not acquiring a truck until Ray was 11 years old. Despite the rigors of rural life and shared responsibilities, his parents made sure the children had time for recreation alongside their duties. Hayworth developed his strong throwing arm through childhood activities such as throwing rocks at squirrels and rabbits, and he sometimes participated in rock fights with neighborhood boys. He also played baseball on his church team, reflecting the family's involvement in the Quaker community.

Education and entry into baseball

Ray Hayworth attended Oak Ridge Military Academy in Oak Ridge, North Carolina, from 1923 to 1925, where he played baseball under coach Earle P. Holt. Holt recognized Hayworth's strong throwing arm and shifted his focus from pitching to catching, a change that proved pivotal for his future career. Prior to the academy, Hayworth had pitched in high school while occasionally catching, and he also gained experience during summers playing semipro baseball with a team in Bluefield, West Virginia. After completing his time at Oak Ridge, Hayworth initially pursued training in the upholstery trade, but he was persuaded to continue in baseball instead. In 1925, Detroit Tigers scout Billy Doyle signed him to a professional contract and assigned him to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League. Hayworth began his minor league career in 1926 with Toronto before moving to the Columbus Senators, gaining valuable experience as a catcher ahead of his major league opportunity. His upbringing on a family farm in High Point, North Carolina, contributed to the physical foundation that supported his athletic development.

Major League Baseball career

Early professional years and MLB debut

Ray Hayworth began his professional baseball career after signing with the Detroit Tigers organization in 1925, following his standout catching performance at Oak Ridge Military Academy. He spent the first half of the 1926 season in the International League with the Toronto Maple Leafs before a call-up to the majors. His strong arm, developed through childhood activities such as throwing rocks, helped establish him as a catcher prospect. Hayworth made his Major League Baseball debut on June 27, 1926, with the Detroit Tigers, pinch-hitting unsuccessfully against Sherry Smith of the Cleveland Indians at Navin Field. He saw limited action that year as a backup catcher behind veterans such as Johnny Bassler, Clyde Manion, and Larry Woodall. On July 20, 1926, he recorded his first major league start and hit against the Philadelphia Athletics, going 1-for-3 with two RBI in an 8-3 Tigers victory. The next day, July 21, 1926, he started behind the plate and faced Hall of Famer Walter Johnson; he went 0-for-1 before manager Ty Cobb pinch-hit for him. Hayworth appeared in just 12 games during the 1926 season, batting .273 (3-for-11) with five RBI, before returning to the minor leagues for 1927 and 1928. He was recalled to the Tigers in September 1929, where he played in 14 games as a backup catcher and hit .256.

Detroit Tigers (1926–1938)

Ray Hayworth made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers on June 27, 1926, pinch-hitting in a game against the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 12 games that season, primarily as a catcher. After spending time in the minors in 1927 and 1928, he returned to the Tigers in September 1929 for 14 games. In 1930, under manager Bucky Harris, Hayworth became the primary catcher, appearing in 77 games and batting .278. Hayworth enjoyed his strongest offensive season in 1932, batting .293 in 109 games. After the Tigers acquired Mickey Cochrane as player-manager following the 1933 season, Hayworth transitioned to a backup role, often spelling Cochrane against left-handed pitching. In 1934, he hit .293 in 54 games as the Tigers won the American League pennant. He appeared in one inning of the 1934 World Series, catching the top of the ninth in Game 7. In 1935, Hayworth batted .309 in 51 games as the Tigers repeated as AL champions and won the World Series, though he did not appear in the Series. Hayworth's playing time increased significantly in 1936 following Mickey Cochrane's nervous breakdown, as he handled most of the catching duties and batted .240 in 81 games. His role diminished in the late 1930s with emerging younger catchers, and he appeared in only 8 games in 1938 before being placed on waivers in September.

Later years with Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and others (1938–1945)

In September 1938, Ray Hayworth was claimed off waivers by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers. He appeared in five games for Brooklyn that year. In 1939, Hayworth played in 21 games for the Dodgers and roomed with pitcher Whitlow Wyatt under manager Leo Durocher, offering veteran mentorship to the pitcher during Wyatt's standout All-Star campaign. On September 9, 1939, Hayworth was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for outfielder Jimmy Ripple. He appeared in five games for the Giants that season and served primarily in a bullpen role during 1940. Hayworth's later major league appearances were limited amid the World War II era. In 1942, he played one game for the St. Louis Browns, collecting a single. He signed briefly with the St. Louis Cardinals that year but did not appear in any games. Hayworth returned to the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1943 and remained through 1945, appearing sparingly during the war years. His final major league game came on June 18, 1945, extending his playing career to age 41.

Playing achievements and style

Defensive records and strengths

Ray Hayworth established himself as one of the most reliable defensive catchers of his era, prized above all for his strong and accurate arm that allowed him to effectively control the running game. His arm strength, which he honed by throwing rocks at squirrels and rabbits in his youth, became a defining asset early in his career. Coaches recognized this skill and urged him to concentrate strictly on catching rather than other positions. Hayworth's defensive value consistently overshadowed his offensive contributions, as managers favored him for his glove work and ability to prevent stolen bases. In 1931, Hayworth caught approximately 47% of would-be base stealers according to career fielding data. He set an American League record for consecutive errorless games by a catcher, going without an error from September 2, 1931, to August 29, 1932, across 97 games and handling 438 of 439 total chances cleanly. The streak, which surpassed the previous mark held by Johnny Bassler, ended due to crossed signals between Hayworth and his pitcher. This record stood until later surpassed by Yogi Berra. Hayworth's catcher's glove from his playing era is exhibited in the Baseball Hall of Fame, underscoring his lasting reputation for defensive excellence. Though he compiled a career batting average of .265 over 699 games, his primary legacy rests on his arm strength, low error rates, and ability to thwart runners.

Offensive performance and key contributions

Ray Hayworth compiled a career batting average of .265 with five home runs and 240 runs batted in over 699 games played in the major leagues. His offensive output was modest but consistent for a catcher of his era, characterized by contact hitting rather than power, as evidenced by his low career slugging percentage and limited home run production. His most effective seasons at the plate included 1932, when he batted .293 with two home runs in a career-high 109 games, and 1935, when he achieved a .309 average in 51 games while serving primarily as a backup. A standout moment came on August 19, 1932, when Hayworth hit his second career home run off Lefty Gomez at Yankee Stadium, a solo shot that he later recalled with great enthusiasm: “When I rounded first base I felt like a bird flying. When I got to second base it suddenly dawned on me how hundreds of times Ruth made that same trip around the diamond. It was a great feeling. I sure never forgot about that.” He hit only three more home runs across the remainder of his career, all coming after 1932. As a backup catcher and veteran presence, Hayworth also contributed to team offenses indirectly through mentorship. In 1939 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he introduced teammates to his model bat, which helped Dolph Camilli raise his batting average by nearly 40 points and Al Todd by 13 points. While his defensive skills formed the core of his value, these offensive contributions highlighted his role in supporting team performance beyond his personal statistics.

Post-playing baseball career

Managing, coaching, and scouting roles

After retiring from his playing career in 1945, Ray Hayworth remained in professional baseball for nearly three decades, serving in managing, coaching, and scouting roles until 1973. He managed the Fort Worth Cats of the Texas League in 1946, leading them to a 101-53 record, and the Macon Peaches of the South Atlantic League in 1947. He coached for the Chicago Cubs in 1955 and served as their scouting director in 1960. Hayworth spent many years as a scout for the Cubs, where he rose to a leadership position. He subsequently served as scouting director for the Milwaukee Braves in 1961, director of player personnel for the Braves from 1962 to 1965, scouting director for the Atlanta Braves in 1966, and continued as a scout for the Braves through 1969. Hayworth concluded his baseball career as a scout for the Montreal Expos from 1970 to 1973.

Personal life

Marriage, family, and later years

Ray Hayworth married Virginia Jones of Parrott, Virginia. The couple had two sons, Raymond Jr. and John D. His grandson, J. D. Hayworth, served as a Republican U.S. Congressman representing Arizona. Hayworth's brother, Myron "Red" Hayworth, also played in Major League Baseball as a catcher. In his later years, Hayworth remained reflective about his baseball career. In a 1994 interview, when asked if he would live his baseball life over again, he responded, "Lord yes! I’ve never known any other life." He lived to the age of 98, and he and Virginia Jones are buried beside each other in Guilford Memorial Park, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Media and public appearances

Film and television credits

Ray Hayworth made only rare and limited appearances in film and television, reflecting his primary career as a Major League Baseball player rather than an entertainer. In 1943, he had an uncredited role in the comedy film Whistling in Brooklyn, appearing as Ray Hayworth in a production that included cameos from several Brooklyn Dodgers players. Nearly six decades later, Hayworth appeared as himself in one episode of the ESPN documentary series SportsCentury in 2001. No other film or television credits are documented for him.

Death and legacy

Final years and recognition

Ray Hayworth held the distinction of being the oldest living former Major League Baseball player at the time of his death. He was also recognized as the last surviving teammate of Ty Cobb on the Detroit Tigers. He died on September 25, 2002, at the age of 98 in Salisbury, North Carolina. He was buried at Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Posthumous legacy

Ray Hayworth is remembered for his extensive involvement in professional baseball, spanning from his major league debut in 1926 until his retirement as a scout for the Montreal Expos in 1973. His career encompassed 15 seasons as a major league catcher, primarily with the Detroit Tigers, followed by decades as a coach in the minors and majors and as a scout for organizations including the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, and Expos. Hayworth earned enduring recognition for his defensive excellence behind the plate, most notably setting an American League record by handling 439 consecutive fielding chances without an error from September 2, 1931, to August 29, 1932, a mark later surpassed by Yogi Berra; his glove from that era remains exhibited in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He contributed to the Detroit Tigers' 1935 World Series championship as a reliable backup catcher during the regular season. Although he received no major individual awards, his longevity and defensive consistency cemented his reputation as a respected figure in the game. Hayworth's family legacy continues through his grandson J. D. Hayworth, who served as a Republican U.S. Representative from Arizona.
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