Ray Keating

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Ray Keating

| image = RayKeatingLOC.jpg

| caption = Keating in 1913

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| positionplain =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1893|7|21}}

| birth_place = Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1963|12|28|1893|7|21}}

| death_place = Sacramento, California, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 12

| debutyear = 1912

| debutteam = New York Highlanders

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 9

| finalyear = 1919

| finalteam = Boston Braves

| statyear =

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 30–51

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 3.29

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 349

| teams =

New York Highlanders / Yankees ({{baseball year|1912}}–{{baseball year|1916}}, {{baseball year|1918}})
Boston Braves ({{baseball year|1919}})

}}

Raymond Herbert Keating (July 21, 1893 – December 28, 1963) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the New York Highlanders / Yankees of the American League from 1912 to 1916 and in 1918 and for the Boston Braves of the National League in 1919. In 1914, Keating was caught throwing an emery ball, and the pitch was declared to be illegal.

Career

=Early life and career=

Raymond Herbert Keating was born on July 21, 1893, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He played semi-professional baseball in Bridgeport in 1908 and 1909. He tried out with the Bridgeport Orators of the Connecticut State League in 1910, but did not make the team, and he enrolled at Niagara University to play college baseball as a pitcher for the Niagara Purple Eagles.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76986430/chicago-tribune/ |title=Ray Keating, Not Yet 20 Years Old, Only Successful Highlander Pitcher|page=26|work=Chicago Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 8, 1913 |access-date=April 27, 2021}}

In 1911, Keating signed a professional contract with the Lawrence Barristers of the New England League. The Barristers assigned him to the Hamilton Kolts of the Canadian League where he made his professional baseball debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77473319/baltimore-orioles-draft-ray-keating/|title=Baltimore Orioles Draft Ray Keating|page=7|work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 21, 1911 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77473438/the-bridgeport-times-and-evening-farmer/ |title=Ray Keating Going Fine Up In Canada|page=7|work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer|via=Newspapers.com |date=July 19, 1911 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} Hamilton's manager, a former spitball pitcher, taught Keating how to throw the spitball. Keating pitched for Lawrence in the 1912 season,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77473606/unbeaten-lawrence-pitcher-a-youngster/|title=Unbeaten Lawrence Pitcher A Youngster|page=7|work=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 27, 1912 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} and he won 25 games out of the 35 that he pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77473718/ray-keating-will-report-to-yankees-next/|title=Ray Keating Will Report To Yankees Next Monday|page=7|work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 4, 1912 |access-date=April 27, 2021}}

=Major leagues=

The New York Highlanders of the American League purchased Keating's contract from Lawrence for $5,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5000|1912}}}} in current dollar terms) during the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77511458/ray-keating-given-500-by-lawrence-club/ |title=Ray Keating Given $500 By Lawrence Club Manager|page=7|work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer|via=Newspapers.com |date=July 17, 1912 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} After the New England League's season finished in early September, Keating reported to the Highlanders. He made his major league debut on September 12, 1912, as a relief pitcher, recording three strikeouts in one inning pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77511675/ray-keating-begins-well/|title=Ray Keating Begins Well|page=7|work=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 13, 1912 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} Keating appeared in six games for the Highlanders in 1912; he had an 0–3 win–loss record, three complete games, and a 5.80 earned run average (ERA) in 1912.{{cite web|title=1912 New York Highlanders Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1912.shtml|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} The next year, he had a 6–12 win–loss record and a 3.21 ERA in 28 games, with nine complete games.{{cite web|title=1913 New York Yankees Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1913.shtml|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} Frank Chance, the Highlanders' manager, reported that Keating was almost exclusively a spitball pitcher.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77515934/new-york-highlanders-unearth-phenom/|title=New York Highlanders Unearth Phenom|page=7|work=The Gordon Journal|via=Newspapers.com |date=June 13, 1913 |access-date=May 4, 2021}}

File:Ray Keating, New York Yankees pitcher, facing front, standing, holding a ball in his glove LCCN2004666451.jpg

In 1914, catcher Ed Sweeney taught Keating how to throw the emery ball; Sweeney had learned about it from Russ Ford, who jumped to the outlaw Federal League before the 1914 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76957843/russell-ford-quits/|title=Russell Ford Quits|page=3|work=Beaver County Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 20, 1917 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} Keating was caught using the emery ball when Eddie Collins became suspicious after striking out against Keating in a game on September 12, 1914, and had the home plate umpire, Tom Connolly, check the ball, finding it to be scuffed. Connolly also took Keating's baseball glove, and found the emery paper hid inside.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76960703/the-emery-ball-is-the-newest-wrinkle/|title=The Emery Ball Is The Newest Wrinkle|page=11|work=New Castle Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 14, 1914 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} Ban Johnson, the president of the American League, outlawed the pitch, and said that anyone caught throwing it would be fined $100 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100|1914}}}} in current dollar terms) and suspended for 30 days.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76798733/ban-johnson-bars-use-of-emery-ball/|title=Ban Johnson Bars Use Of Emery Ball|page=10|work=The Standard Union|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 20, 1914 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} Keating had an 8–11 win–loss record, a 2.96 ERA, and 14 complete games in 34 games pitched in the 1914 season,{{cite web|title=1914 New York Yankees Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1914.shtml|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} and a 3–6 win–loss record, a 3.63 ERA, and eight complete games in 11 games pitched in 1915.{{cite web|title=1915 New York Yankees Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1915.shtml|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}

Keating pitched to a 5–6 win–loss record, a 3.07 ERA, and six complete games in 14 games pitched in the 1916 season.{{cite web|title=1916 New York Yankees Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1916.shtml|access-date=April 29, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} The Yankees sold Keating and Sweeney to the Toledo Iron Men of the American Association after the 1916 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76587983/ray-keating-and-ed-sweeney-are-sold-by/ |title=Ray Keating And Ed Sweeney Are Sold By Yankees |work=The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer|page=10|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 30, 1917 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} The Yankees reacquired Keating from Toledo in July 1918.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77516384/ray-keating-back-with-yanks/ |title=Ray Keating Back With Yanks|page=8|work=The Ottawa Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 9, 1918 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} He had a 2–2 win–loss record, a 3.91 ERA, and one complete game in 15 games pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1918.shtml|title=1918 New York Yankees Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=May 11, 2021}}

The Yankees sold Keating to the Boston Braves of the National League before the 1919 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77516529/chattanooga-daily-times/|title=Yankee Players Out of Army|page=8|work=Chattanooga Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com |date=March 7, 1919 |access-date=April 27, 2021}} He had a 7–11 win–loss record and a 2.98 ERA with Boston in 1919, throwing nine complete games in 22 games pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BSN/1919.shtml|title=1919 Boston Braves Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=May 11, 2021}}

=Later career=

The Braves sold Keating to the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) before the 1920 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77516716/braves-sell-ray-keating/|title=Braves Sell Ray Keating|page=9|work=The Star Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 28, 1920 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} After spending one season with Los Angeles, Keating jumped to the outlaw San Joaquin Valley League, an independent baseball league, in 1921. Los Angeles kept Keating on their reserve list.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77517090/pitcher-ray-keating-seeks-reinstatement/|title=Pitcher Ray Keating Seeks Reinstatement|page=19|work=Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 3, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} In 1921, Keating was the player-manager for the team representing Madera, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77516899/ray-keating-wolter-wares-pilot/ |title=Ray Keating, Wolter, Wares Pilot Outfits In Independent League|page=26|first=Harry M. |last=Grayson|author-link=Harry Grayson|work=Los Angeles Evening Express|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 13, 1921 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77517454/madera-ready-for-coalinga/|title=Madera Ready For Coalinga|page=19|work=The Fresno Morning Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 9, 1921 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} In 1922 and 1923, he played for the team representing Dinuba, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77517790/dutchman-applies-coat-of-whitewash-to/|title=Dutchman Applies Coat of Whitewash to Crandall's Pets|first=Ralph L.|last=Owen|page=5|work=The Fresno Morning Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 24, 1922 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77517915/ray-keating-pitches-wonderful-ball-game/|title=Ray Keating Pitches Wonderful Ball Game|page=5|work=Bakersfield Morning Echo|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 8, 1923 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}

In 1924, Keating applied for reinstatement to organized baseball. During the winter of 1924, he signed with the Hollywood Merchants of the semi-professional Orange Belt League.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77518043/keating-signs-with-hollywood-merchants/|title=Keating Signs With Hollywood Merchants|page=13|work=Los Angeles Evening Post-Record|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 12, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis told him that he could be reinstated after the season if he paid a $200 fine (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1924}}}} in current dollar terms).{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77518128/ray-keating-back-in-angels-fold/ |title=Ray Keating Back In Angels' Fold|page=7|work=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 5, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77518274/ray-keating-must-pay-200-for/|title=Ray Keating Must Pay $200 for Reimbursement|page=6|work=Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 11, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} He spent the 1924 season with the Racine, Wisconsin, team in the independent Midwest League.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77569702/hooks-ray-keating-of-yanks-pitching/|title=Hooks Ray Keating Of Yank's Pitching Staff|first=Jack |last=Roberts|page=9|work=The Journal Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 15, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} The team became defunct in September, and Keating returned to Bridgeport.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77569934/keating-is-going-home-monday/ |title=Keating Is Going Home Monday|page=7|work=The Journal Times|via=Newspapers.com |date=September 20, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}

Keating was reinstated, and Los Angeles sold his contractual rights to Sacramento Senators of the PCL for $3,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3000|1925}}}} in current dollar terms) before the 1925 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77570250/hemingway-traded-for-pitcher/|title=Hemingway Traded For Pitcher Shellenback; Ray Keating Is Bought|page=20|work=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77570454/league-confab-for-avalon/|title=League Confab For Avalon|page=47|work=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 3, 1924 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} He was suspended in September 1926 for doctoring baseballs.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77570559/ray-keating-suspended-for-doctoring/ |title=Ray Keating Suspended For 'Doctoring' Ball Here Sunday|agency=Associated Press|page=29|work=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 22, 1926 |access-date=May 4, 2021}} In 1928, Keating won 27 games for Sacramento.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77570652/ray-keating-signs-two-year-contract/ |title=Ray Keating Signs Two-Year Contract|page=30 |work=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 8, 1929 |access-date=May 4, 2021}} He continued to pitch for Sacramento into the 1930 season. In July 1930, Sacramento traded Keating to the Portland Beavers for Mack Hillis and Roy Chesterfield.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77570882/ray-keating-is-exchanged-for-portland/|title=Ray Keating Is Exchanged for Portland Stars|page=41|work=Oakland Tribune|via=Newspapers.com |date=July 25, 1930 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} He began the 1931 season with the Beavers, but was released in June.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77571071/ray-keating-given-release-by-beavers/|title=Ray Keating Given Release By Beavers|page=13|agency=United Press|work=The Fresno Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 2, 1931 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} He signed with the Seattle Indians of the PCL later that week,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77571339/ray-keating-to-join-seattle-club-today/|title=Ray Keating To Join Seattle Club Today|page=23|agency=Associated Press|work=The Fresno Morning Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 7, 1931 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} and they released him after the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/701097338/?terms=%22ray%20keating%22&match=1 |title=Ray Keating Given Release By Seattle|agency=Associated Press|page=4|work=The Fresno Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 30, 1932 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} He returned to the PCL to pitch for Seattle in July 1934.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77571778/seattle-club-buys-l-vinci-from-solons/ |title=Seattle Club Buys L. Vinci From Solons|first=Rudy|last=Hickey|page=16|work=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 30, 1934 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}

Personal life

Keating and his wife, Elizabeth, married in Bridgeport in November 1915. They separated in March 1933 and she sued for divorce, custody of their daughter, and alimony.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77578589/ray-keating-is-sued-for-divorce/|title=Ray Keating Is Sued For Divorce|page=12|agency=Associated Press|work=The Fresno Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 25, 1933 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} The divorce was granted that May.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77578689/the-sacramento-bee/|title=Divorce Decree Granted|page=5|work=The Sacramento Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 20, 1933 |access-date=April 28, 2021}}

Keating resided in Sacramento, California, after his playing career, and operated a tavern there.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77578779/short-shots-by-harry-borba/|title=Short Shots |first=Harry|last=Borba|page=24|work=The San Francisco Examiner|via=Newspapers.com |date=August 20, 1935 |access-date=April 28, 2021}} He died on December 28, 1963, in a Sacramento hospital.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76595640/obituary-for-pitcher-ray-keating-aged/ |title=Ex-PCL Pitcher Ray Keating Dies|work=The Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|page=39|via=Newspapers.com |date=December 30, 1963 |access-date=April 27, 2021}}