Cincinnati Reds

Date of birth: December 28, 1952 Albany, GA

High School:  Dougherty HS (Albany, GA)

First Impression; This dude is having fun, and why not, he’s on the Reds, its summer, pregame, getting his reps in, boom, funny quip outta nowhere. Maybe, “Ray, Rose says he’s winning a World Series this year — wants to know what you’re up to.”

Career stats player: He spent ’75-76 in the minors, the two years that Cincinnati won the Series. In 1979 in a full season Knight hit .318. He was 26 and Pete Rose was not. I am sure that money was a factor and that the Reds chose a younger player coming off of a season where he finished 5th in the MVP race (just behind Parrish). With Rose out of the lineup, Knight’s average fell to .264 though he was an All-Star, likely due to his .289 average in the first half, which dropped to .239 in the second half.

He began to find his stride in 1982 when he was an All-Star for the second time. This time with Houston after having been traded for Cesar Cedeno. In his time in Houston he hit .283. At the trade deadline in 1984 he was dealt to the Mets for three low level prospects. 1986 would be a renaissance year for him. At the age of 33 he played in 137 games and hit .298. He was a free agent after that year and signed with the Orioles and then after a trade for Mark Thurmond, he ended his career with the Tigers.

All Time Stat: For a guy named Knight we have to check in on his career splits. And the final tally shows he was a better hitter during the day .286 as opposed to .265 at night.

Career stats manager: 125-137. He also got a fresh start. But under Marge Schott so you know that was destined for some dog poop. He replaced Davey Johnson (his old Mets manager) in 1996. To the surprise of nobody, the Knight era was far shorter and quieter than Bobby Knight.

Fun Fact: As a kid they always mentioned he was married to golfer Nancy Lopez. I’d be remiss in not mentioning he was the one who scored the winning run in the “Buckner” game in 1986. “Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!”. I’ll discuss this more and Scully more in another story. Not Nancy Lopez.

Ever a Future Star?  No

Rookie or final card? No

Hall of Fame? Number retired? N/A

Links to stories including Ray Knight.