Ray Liotta is the type of guy that has a tale that is all too familiar to the baseball world. (especially pitchers) A great talent that looks to have a bright future. Unfortunately pitchers get hurt and often they never even get a chance to pitch in the major leagues.
Liotta is a 6’3 lefty taken in the 2nd round of the 2004 draft by the Chicago White Sox. (after a brief career at Tulane and Gulf Coast C.C) Blessed with a lethal combination for a lefty (fastball, nice curve) the sky was the limit out of the gates. He began his career at Great Falls in the Pioneer League in 2004 and went 5-1 with a league leading 2.54 e.r.a. He also struck out 65 in 64 IP.
His next season he was beginning to gain a lot of buzz as he went 14-5 with a league leading 2.02 e.r.a for Kannapolis in the Sally league and Winston Salem in the Carolina League . He struck out 144 and walked 51 in 165 ip.
After the season he was ranked as the White Sox #7 prospect by baseball america. But, than the slide started happening. He was never able to get going ion 2006 as he struggled with a 4-14 record and a e.r.a just under 6. Obviously, something was wrong.
He missed all of the 2007 season and the Royals took a chance on him taking him in the minor league version of the rule 5 draft. In 2008 he pitched towards the end of the season for the Burlington and Wilmington clubs going a combined 2-2 with a 2.01 e.r.a in 11 games (10 starts) and 40 ip. He looked to be getting back into the race for a shot at a big league career.
In 2009 he pitched for Wilmington and Omaha ( 2 starts) and went a combined 4-3 with a 4.26 e.r.a in 26 games (10 starts) while striking out 39 and walking 30 in 76 IP. You can look at the numbers and realize he had become a different pitcher…no longer with the power he once possesed but still with an outside shot at making the big leagues at some point.
He would have pitched this season at 27 and was competing for a place in the rotation at Omaha…But, that won’t happen as he has hung up the spikes and walked off the diamond.
As his namesake would say as Henry Hill in Goodfellas
And that’s the hardest part. Today everything is different; there’s no action… have to wait around like everyone else. Can’t even get decent food – right after I got here, I ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce, and I got egg noodles and ketchup. I’m an average nobody… get to live the rest of my life like a schnook
one would wonder how difficult the transition is when playing a child’s game for a living and than having to go off into the real world…do you truly live like a schnook after that
* I wanted to add that I have already heard wonderful things about Ray as a person. I have been told ” never met a nicer kid” “really took the younger players under his wing and helped them out a lot”
apparently he was married after the 2008 season and is expecting a child soon…
Great kid – I got a chance to meet and play a little golf with Ray. Outstanding person – I’m sure this decision was made on his terms.
We discuss failing to make it in the big leagues like it is failure. Nothing could be further from the truth. These guys get to pursue a dream and if it works out great, but what we all would give to have spent our early 20′s playing pro ball at any level.
I’m sure Ray looked at this from all angles, and his priorities for his life have shifted. He’ll be missed at the field, but will do fabulous in life because he’s a rock solid guy.
Congrats and good luck Ray, hope the next thing is just as exciting.
RoyalPops
I could not have agreed with you more…I would have given anything to have the talent to play at that level
I appreciate the comments…and hope you know that most everyone here is envious of Liotta
Greg,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention…even though it’s kind of a bummer!
Ray’s an awesome guy, someone who quickly became one of my favorites in the organization after I met him last August. The weird thing is, I never did see him pitch (I was not in Omaha during his one outing there) but he’s just a cool individual so he made an impression on me. I am bummed to not get to watch him come back fully from the injuries that enabled the Royals to pick him up in the first place.
(Ray, if you are reading this: I like your………shirt!)
We had the priviledge as a family to get to know Ray during his Wilmington days. A wonderful human being, generous with his time, signing balls, autographs for all the kids, an excellent listener and patient man with fans.
It must be a bittersweet move to enter the next chapter of his life, but I am sure his wife and his dogs will love having his presence closer to home for a while. These guys’ families sacrifice so much during the season. We are thrilled by the news that Ray and his wife have had enough time together to begin their family. He’ll be a terrific dad and a helluva fine coach for their little ones!Go Ray! We’re always rooting for you!
I really appreciate the response…I know that the players and their families read this site. One of my goals was to make this a place that people could post pictures of minor leaguers (on the shutterfly extension on the main page) and also to find out what has happened to some of our players…
I hope that Ray will read the nice comments and realize that he made a difference off the field during his playing career…who knows, maybe Ray will contact me for an interview about his career soon