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| Ray Knight | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ray Knight |
| Position | Third baseman / First baseman / Outfielder |
| Bats | Left |
| Throws | Right |
| Birth date | 2 July 1952 |
| Birth place | Culver City, California |
| Debutleague | MLB |
| Debutdate | June 11 |
| Debutyear | 1974 |
| Debutteam | Houston Astros |
| Finalleague | MLB |
| Finaldate | June 26 |
| Finalyear | 1990 |
| Finalteam | San Francisco Giants |
| Statleague | MLB |
| Stat1label | Batting average |
| Stat1value | .278 |
| Stat2label | Home runs |
| Stat2value | 137 |
| Stat3label | Runs batted in |
| Stat3value | 803 |
| Highlights | MVP, 1986 NLCS, World Series champion, 1986 |
Ray Knight
Ray Knight is a former Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder, longtime coach, and broadcaster known for his clutch postseason performance with the New York Mets in 1986. A native of Culver City, California, Knight played for multiple franchises across the National League and American League, later managing and providing analysis for regional and national broadcasts. His career intersects with prominent figures, franchises, ballparks, and events that shaped late 20th-century professional baseball.
Knight was born in Culver City, California and attended Bishop Montgomery High School and then University of Southern California where he played college baseball for the USC Trojans baseball program under coach Bobby Valentine's contemporaries. He was selected in the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros who assigned him to minor league affiliates including the Columbus Astros and Charleston Charlies. During his amateur years Knight competed in Pacific Coast League and Texas League contexts against future major leaguers affiliated with organizations such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Knight debuted with the Houston Astros in 1974 and later played for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. With the Cincinnati Reds he was part of rosters constructed by front offices influenced by general managers like Bob Howsam and Dick Wagner. His tenure with the New York Mets from 1985–1988 included regular-season play at Shea Stadium and crucial postseason series against teams such as the Houston Astros in the 1986 National League Championship Series and the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series. Knight's trades and transactions involved notable executives across organizations like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos era decision-makers. He retired after a final stint with the San Francisco Giants in 1990, transitioning into coaching and broadcasting roles with franchises including the Chicago Cubs and media outlets that covered Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball.
Knight was a versatile left-handed hitter who played third base, first base, and outfield positions, often compared to contemporaries such as Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, and Howard Johnson for situational hitting and clubhouse leadership. Known for contact hitting, situational hitting, and occasional power, his season performances included matchups in parks like Shea Stadium, Candlestick Park, Wrigley Field, and Riverfront Stadium. Knight earned postseason MVP recognition for the 1986 National League Championship Series and was praised by managers including Davey Johnson, Sparky Anderson, and scouts from organizations such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles for his clutch at-bats and veteran presence. His career statistics reflect contributions in batting average, slugging, and runs batted in across decades that involved rule changes overseen by Major League Baseball commissioners like Bowie Kuhn and Peter Ueberroth.
After retirement Knight served as a coach and manager in professional baseball, including a managerial stint with the Cincinnati Reds and coaching roles with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves organizations. He worked with minor league systems such as the International League and Pacific Coast League affiliates, mentoring prospects who later became major leaguers managed by figures like Joe Torre and Terry Collins. In broadcasting Knight provided commentary for regional telecasts, national networks, and programs covering MLB postseason play, joining analysts from networks like ESPN, FOX Sports, and Major League Baseball Network where he worked alongside broadcasters such as Jon Miller, Bob Costas, and former players turned commentators like Orel Hershiser.
Knight married and settled in California while maintaining ties to communities in New York City and Cincinnati where he played. He has been involved with charitable initiatives connected to organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and alumni events for USC Trojans. Knight's family life intersected with baseball milestones celebrated at venues like Shea Stadium and during ceremonies involving team alumni associations from the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.
Knight's legacy is tied to the 1986 New York Mets championship, his NLCS MVP award, and recognition from media outlets and team halls of fame including regional honors by the New York Mets Hall of Fame and commemorations at ballparks like Citi Field. Historians and writers covering baseball history—contributors to publications associated with The Sporting News, Baseball America, Sports Illustrated, and The New York Times—cite his postseason heroics alongside narratives of the 1986 postseason, the Bill Buckner moment in the World Series, and the managerial strategies of Davey Johnson. Knight remains a subject of retrospectives on clutch performance, team chemistry, and postseason lore in Major League Baseball.
Category:Major League Baseball third basemen Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:1952 births Category:Living people