Ray Lankford

Last updated
Ray Lankford
Ray Lankford - Springfield Cardinals - 1988.jpg
Lankford in 1988
Outfielder
Born: (1967-06-05) June 5, 1967 (age 56)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 21, 1990, for the St. Louis Cardinals
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2004, for the St. Louis Cardinals

Lankford made his major league debut with St. Louis in August 1990, and soon after took over the center field position previously occupied by former National League MVP Willie McGee. He started his career as primarily a leadoff man, where his speed and plate discipline made him a potent force. In his first full season in 1991, he led the league with 15 triples, stole 44 bases, and scored 83 runs, earning him a third-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting. On September 15, 1991, he accomplished the rare feat of hitting for the cycle, [3] becoming the first Cardinal rookie ever to do so. [4] In 1992, he began to hit for more power, and posted a breakout season with a .293 batting average, 20 home runs, and 42 stolen bases. This season established Lankford as one of the best all-around outfielders in the game. He eventually moved down in the batting order to take further advantage of his power hitting ability.

Lankford posted five seasons of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases with the Cardinals (1992, 1995–1998), making him the only player in franchise history to accomplish the feat more than once. He also was an impressive fielder, posting a 2.90 range factor in 1992 and committing only one error in 1996. In the latter season, he led the league with a fielding percentage of .997 but was still not awarded a Gold Glove.

On April 3, 1994, Lankford achieved an unusual distinction: he hit a home run as the first batter of the season (it was the first day of the season, and only one game was played that day). [5]

He was selected as the starting center fielder for the National League in the 1997 All-Star Game after a dominating hitting performance in the first half of the season, and posted an offensive career year the following season. In 1998, he hit .293 with 31 home runs, 105 runs batted in and 26 stolen bases. It was his late season surge batting cleanup that helped Mark McGwire, hitting in front of Lankford in the Cardinal order, to set the single season home run record with 70. Following the 1998 season, Lankford had knee surgery and was moved to left field. In his first year at the position, he posted a career high .306 batting average and 15 home runs in an injury-shortened season. He also compiled impressive defensive statistics at his new position.

Lankford was traded from St. Louis to San Diego during the 2001 season for pitcher Woody Williams. Criticism of his always high strikeout totals helped prompt the trade, even though he had continued to be more productive statistically than many of the other outfielders receiving playing time in St. Louis, including journeyman utility player Craig Paquette and rookie Kerry Robinson. At the time of the trade, Lankford was slugging an impressive .496 and maintaining a .345 on-base percentage despite a disappointing batting mark of .235. His numbers, though, had declined as he increasingly found himself in a bench role as the season progressed. He responded to the trade well, however, batting .288 in the balance of the season for San Diego under the tutelage of eight-time batting champion Tony Gwynn.

He returned to the Padres for 2002, but his lone full season in San Diego was marred by injury and inconsistency, as he appeared in only 81 games and batted a career low .221. He took the 2003 season off to continue his recovery process before returning to St. Louis, where he finished his career in 2004. Once again he saw his playing time dip late in the season after the Cardinals acquired Larry Walker from the Colorado Rockies in late August. He was not placed on the postseason roster in 2004, but did earn a National League championship ring for his role in the Cardinals' first pennant-winning season since 1987.

Lankford finished his career among the Cardinal Top 10 in numerous statistical categories, including home runs (third), stolen bases (fifth), runs scored (eighth), runs batted in (eighth), and bases on balls (fourth). Lankford hit more home runs at Busch Stadium (123) than any other player, and finished his career in his home ballpark with a pinch hit home run in his final major league at bat on October 3, 2004. He is the only player to have 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases as a Cardinal. He participated in festivities commemorating the final season at Busch Stadium in 2005, including taking down his signature jersey number 16 from a banner counting down the remaining games at the ballpark and accepting a nomination for the All-Time Busch Stadium Team. He also indicated he is interested in making a return to baseball in the future.

On January 31, 2018, the St. Louis Cardinals nominated Lankford, alongside Vince Coleman, Keith Hernandez, Jason Isringhausen, Scott Rolen, Lee Smith, and John Tudor as the seven players for possible induction into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame. [6] On May 4, once the fan votes were tallied, Ray Lankford and Vince Coleman were enshrined into the St. Louis Cardinals 2018 class. [7]

Career statistics

Games PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG FLD%
1701667557479681561356542388742588281550.272.364.477.983

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozzie Smith</span> American professional baseball player, shortstop (born 1954)

Osborne Earl Smith is an American former professional baseball player. Nicknamed "the Wizard of Oz", Smith played shortstop for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball, winning the National League Gold Glove Award for defensive play at shortstop for 13 consecutive seasons. A 15-time All-Star, Smith accumulated 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases during his career, and won the National League Silver Slugger Award as the best hitter at shortstop in 1987. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2002. He was also elected to the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lou Brock</span> American baseball player (1939–2020)

Louis Clark Brock was an American professional baseball left fielder. He began his 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the 1961 Chicago Cubs but spent most of it as a left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. An All-Star for six seasons, Brock was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1985 and was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Klein</span> American baseball player (1904-1958)

Charles Herbert Klein, nicknamed "the Hoosier Hammer", was an American professional baseball outfielder. Klein played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs (1934–1936), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1939).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mack Jones</span> American baseball player (1938–2004)

Mack Fletcher Jones, nicknamed "Mack The Knife", was an American Major League Baseball left fielder who played for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves (1961–1967), Cincinnati Reds (1968), and Montreal Expos (1969–1971). He batted left-handed, threw right-handed and was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Wallace (baseball)</span> American baseball player and manager (1873–1960)

Roderick John "Bobby" Wallace was an American Major League Baseball infielder, pitcher, manager, umpire, and scout. Wallace claimed to have invented the continuous throwing motion as a shortstop.

The 1968 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1968 season. The 65th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between American League (AL) champion Detroit Tigers and the National League (NL) champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers won in seven games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">César Cedeño</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1951)

César Cedeño Encarnación is a Dominican former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a center fielder from 1970 to 1986, most prominently as a member of the Houston Astros where he helped the franchise win its first-ever National League Western Division title and postseason berth in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Coleman (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1961)

Vincent Maurice Coleman is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from 1985 to 1997 and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amos Otis</span> American baseball player (born 1947)

Amos Joseph Otis is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a center fielder from 1967 to 1984, most prominently as an integral member of the Kansas City Royals team that won the franchise's first American League Western Division championship in 1976, and their first American League pennant in 1980. Although the Royals lost the 1980 World Series in six games to the Philadelphia Phillies, Otis produced a .478 batting average with three home runs in what would be his only World Series appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Bruton</span> American baseball player (1925-1995)

William Havon Bruton was a Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder who played for the Milwaukee Braves (1953–1960) and Detroit Tigers (1961–1964). Bruton batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Cardenal</span> Cuban baseball player

José Rosario Domec Cardenal is a Cuban American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1963 to 1980, most prominently as a member of the Chicago Cubs, with whom he established himself as a fan favorite for his powerful hitting and his strong throwing arm. He had the best seasons of his career in Chicago, posting career highs in home runs an batting average as a member of the Cubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Heathcote</span> American baseball player (1898-1939)

Clifton Earl Heathcote was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1918–1922), Chicago Cubs (1922–1930), Cincinnati Reds (1931–1932), and Philadelphia Phillies (1932).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Tolan</span> American baseball player (born 1945)

Robert Tolan is an American former professional baseball center fielder / right fielder, and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (1965–1968), Cincinnati Reds (1969–1973), San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies (1976–1977), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1977); he also played one season in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), for the Nankai Hawks (1978). Tolan batted and threw left-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Demaree</span> American baseball player (1910-1958)

Joseph Franklin Demaree was an American baseball outfielder. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors for the Chicago Cubs, New York Giants (1939–41), Boston Braves (1941–42), St. Louis Cardinals (1943) and St. Louis Browns (1944).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Gilkey</span> American baseball player (born 1966)

Otis Bernard Gilkey is an American former professional baseball left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves. He is currently a coach for the Palm Beach Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duff Cooley</span> American baseball player (1873–1937)

Duff Gordon "Sir Richard" Cooley was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned 17 seasons, 13 of which were spent in Major League Baseball (MLB). Cooley, an outfielder and first baseman, had a career batting average of .294 in 1,317 games played. He compiled 849 runs, 1,579 hits, 180 doubles, 102 triples, 26 home runs, and 557 runs batted in (RBI). In Major League history, he is tied in 148th place for most all-time triples and, his 224 career stolen bases, place him equal 279th on the all-time list. Cooley made his Major League debut at the age of 20, and spent the majority of his career there, but he also appeared in minor league baseball. After breaking his leg with the Tigers in 1905, he was replaced with future Hall of Fame outfielder Ty Cobb. Cooley, nicknamed "Sir Richard" due to his aristocratic manner, was listed as standing 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and weighing 158 pounds (72 kg).

Derrick Brant May is an American former outfielder who played for the Chicago Cubs (1990–94), Milwaukee Brewers (1995), Houston Astros (1995–96), Philadelphia Phillies (1997), Montreal Expos (1998) and Baltimore Orioles (1999). He also played three seasons in Japan, from 2001 until 2003, for the Chiba Lotte Marines. He was the assistant hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016. He was the manager of the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League in 2021. In 2022 he was the Organization Hitting Coordinator for SSG Lander’s in Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 St. Louis Cardinals season</span> Major League Baseball season

The St. Louis Cardinals 1998 season was the team's 117th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 107th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83–79 during the season and finished third in the National League Central division, 18 games behind the Houston Astros. First baseman Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris' single-season home run record this season by hitting 70 home runs, battling with the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa, who finished runner-up in the National League with 66.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coaker Triplett</span> American baseball player (1911–1992)

Herman Coaker Triplett was an American professional baseball player. In Major League Baseball, he was a backup outfielder, playing mainly as a left fielder for three different teams between the 1938 and 1945 seasons. Listed at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 185 pounds (84 kg), Triplett batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Boone, North Carolina.

The St. Louis Cardinals, a professional baseball franchise based in St. Louis, Missouri, compete in the National League (NL) of Major League Baseball (MLB). In 1953, the Anheuser-Busch (AB) brewery bought the Cardinals, and August "Gussie" Busch became team president. Busch's influence is still seen today as three of the Cardinals' home stadia are or were named some form of Busch Stadium. Three World Series titles in the 1960s and 1980s, contrasted with missing the playoffs for the entirety of the 1950s and 1970s checkered the team's success distinctly by decades. However, the team still remained generally competitive in each of those decades - they did not see a last place finish until 1990, which had been the first since 1918. With Busch's tenure as owner, the Cardinals also won six NL pennants.

References

  1. 1 2 "Athletes: Sac-Joaquin Section 2012 Hall of Fame". KCRA-TV . June 21, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  2. "Carl Nichols". Retrosheet . Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  3. "St. Louis Cardinals 7, New York Mets 2". Retrosheet . September 15, 1991.
  4. "Ray Lankford Stats". Baseball Almanac . Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  5. "St. Louis Cardinals 6, Cincinnati Reds 4". Retrosheet . April 3, 1994.
  6. "2018 Cardinals Hall of Fame nominees announced". MLB.com. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  7. Goold, Derrick. "Lankford, Coleman headline newest Cardinals Hall of Fame class". stltoday.com. Retrieved 2018-05-16.

Further reading

Achievements
Preceded by Hitting for the cycle
September 15, 1991
Succeeded by