Former major league pitcher Ray King poised for success with Malone Border Hounds

MALONE — The Empire League’s Malone Borders Hounds have a new skipper at the helm – former Major League Baseball pitcher Ray King has taken over as manager, replacing Ali Cepeda, who led Malone to the championship last year last in the team’s first-ever victory. season.

King was first drafted in 1995 by the Cincinnati Reds and played in the major leagues from 1999 to 2008, and was primarily a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves , the St. Louis Cardinals, the Colorado Rockies and the Washington Nationals. He appeared in the 2004 World Series as a member of the Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox.

King’s best season came in 2004 with the Cardinals when he pitched in 86 games and had a 5-2 record and a 2.61 earned run average (ERA). He finished his career playing in over 600 games, including the postseason, with a respectable 3.46 ERA and 278 strikeouts.

Although he has no management experience, King said he has done coaching, in the MLB Draft League as a pitching coach, at high schools in Arizona, and stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cardinals. King also played for two Hall of Fame managers: Tony La Russa (Cardinals) and Bobby Cox (Braves).

As King prepared for the first game of the season at Veterans Field, he said baseball hasn’t changed since he played.

“It’s the first time I’ve really managed a team, it’s the same, doing the lineup card and letting the boys play,” he said.

“I just can’t wait to see the guys play, I’m excited to be here in the community and from what I’ve heard it’s a great community.

“You come into town, you meet your guys, you try to get a feel for it and learn each guy’s tendencies, and you really don’t know anything until that first game as to who can do what in certain situations, under pressure situations,” King said “Trying to know every guy is a challenge because you can only do it by video you’ve seen, you can only do it by word of mouth, you don’t really know. before getting on the field and playing. A guy can be a great batting practice hitter, but in a game he can’t hit the curveball. Same thing with a pitcher, he can throw a great bullpen session, but in a game he can’t hit the strike zone.

Over the next week, he said he will have a better idea of who the best players are and which ones need additional work.

“Right now it’s like trial and error. We’ll put them out there and see, and hopefully all the wheels stay on the bus,” he said.

King said the goal is to win as many games as possible, but at the same time, nurture and help guide young baseball players.

“We want to see guys get into their element where, one guy might need a little more push, one guy might need more guidance, one guy might just need a day off. So it’s really about getting a feel for the guys and understanding what they need to take ownership of the field,” he said. “And you talk to the guys off the field, some guys have played every day, so for some it’s to make them understand that we don’t play every day, we have Monday off. If after two or three days, you need a day off, come talk to me. It’s a learning curve for everyone.

King said that while the team will strive to win every game, win or lose, the team has a bigger mission.

“It’s a league where they keep stats and everyone wants to win a championship, but our main goal here is to work with the guys, get them ready and hopefully get a call where they get picked up by another organization.” he said. “Our main goal is that in every match, they have a good match. I hope I get a call. If we lose a guy, it’s bittersweet, because we’re also happy for him to move on to the next level and for the next guy to step up. “What we preach to guys is: Know why you’re here. Don’t complain about anything. Minor leagues and independent leagues are not designed for you to make a lot of money. Just play, get your recognition and start your journey.

“As long as you don’t take off this uniform, you still have a chance.”

King also explained the reason why he decided to return to the game once his playing days were over.

“As soon as I finished playing, after a few years off, I coached my kids in Arizona, then I started broadcasting on CBS Sports, then I started coaching local teams,” said he declared. “I love being on the field, I love coaching, I love giving kids the knowledge that I was able to gain from the players before me, with me and after me.”

Not only did King play for a decade in the majors, but he also played under two Hall of Fame managers, and he explained how that experience will help him in his new role as manager.

“I was lucky enough to be able to play 10 years in the majors. I was lucky enough to make a few playoff appearances and got beat by Boston in the 2004 World Series with the Cardinals, but it was a blessing to be a grown man playing a kid’s game. I loved it, I was able to do it at the highest level and I came away with a pretty good career,” he said. “I tell everyone, just like playing for Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox, two Hall of Fame managers, players make you better. We’re going to give them knowledge, give them wisdom about the game, but they’re going to have to play the game the right way. So if they get things that you talk to them about and it translates onto the field, then you become a great manager.

“I have two rules, like I told my boys: be on time and hurry up. It doesn’t take much effort to be on time, everyone has a watch and it doesn’t take much effort to hustle. You can run, you can hustle, and that’s what I tell the guys. Be aggressive, I can accept aggressive mistakes, but if you make stupid mistakes then we will have a conversation. At the moment they have the keys to the car and I have to see if they can drive it or not,” he added.

King said he learned specific lessons from LaRussa and Cox on how to be an effective manager, and it revolves around knowing ballplayers on a deeper level than the skills they possess.

“For both of them, they got to know you as a person first, because every man is different. There may be something going on at home or in their personal life. You get to know the guy and what he needs to become a better athlete,” he said.

Despite a decent MLB career, when King was asked about his most memorable moment while playing ball, it wasn’t about a key moment or the playoffs, or even realizing the dream Many kids’ childhood days of playing in the World Series. It’s a moment that’s probably on the minds of every player in the Empire League and any other league heading to the big leagues.

“For me, it was the night I was in Triple-A Oklahoma City and I was playing for the Iowa Cubs and I got a phone call saying I was going to the big leagues. I hung up and called my parents, my high school coach, my college coach, and all my friends and said, “I’m going to Atlanta tomorrow to be with the Chicago Cubs and play the Chicago Braves.” Atlanta,” he said. “That’s where the most memorable day was, getting that call saying all the hard work from Little League going through high school, college, the minor leagues, and getting to the big league and going through that stadium and say ‘I did it.’ »

And reflecting on his career, he said he’s happy to be a part of the Empire League.

“Baseball has been good to me. Right now I’m coming back and giving the kids the opportunity to put what I’ve learned into practice and try to make it happen. No matter what you do, you play to win, you play the right way. My goal is to win, promote you and have fun,” he said. “My message for Malone is that we are happy to be here. We have a good group of guys. I’ve been out in the community, we’ve been to a few restaurants here and we’re excited that they’re welcoming us here to Malone. Hopefully we can put a great product on the field where people will come support us and have a good time watching baseball.