| BECAME A CARDINAL: Acquired from the Atlanta Braves with pitchers Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright in exchange for outfielders J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero, in December of 2003. A deal that Birdhouse Publisher Ray Mileur ranks as one of the best deals Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty ever made. Mileur said "JD Drew was the only player in Cardinal history to have a handicap parking spot at the stadium, and we will reap the benefit of this trade for years, with King, Marquis and Wainwright coming to St. Louis."
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals in Dec. 2004 that includes a third year option.
2005 OUTLOOK: You couldn't ask for anything more out of Ray King, both on the mound and in the clubhouse, you just have to love this guy. In 2004 he made a career high 86 appearances which was second in the league as were his 31 holds. He had a 21 inning scoreless stretch covering 30 games that ran from May into early July.
King was one of the best lefty pitchers in baseball last season, holding lefties to a .150 batting average and going deep into July before allowing a home run -- the only one he gave up in 2004. When he's healthy he's one of the best. He will be a vital part of the Cardinals bullpen and you can expect more of the same from him in 2005 that you saw in 04. He may even pick up a few save opportunities along the way.
2004 SEASON: Durable lefty enjoyed successful first season with the Cardinals. Was 5-2 with 32 holds - 32 holds ranked 2nd in NL.
Stranded 34 of 44 inherited runners (6th in N.L.) and retired 63 of the 86 first batters faced. Had one blown save during
the season, 4/30 vs. CHI.
Had a career-high 21.0 scoreless inning streak that spanned 30 games. The 21.0 IP streak was the longest by a St.
Louis reliever since S. Kline had 28.2 shutout IP in ‘01.
Was team leader in games pitched with 86, a career high (ranked 2nd in NL).
Lefthanded batter’s hit just .150 (17-113) with no home runs against Ray.
MISC: Graduated from Ripley (Tenn.) High School in 1992...played baseball, basketball and football at Ripley…was an All-
American selection in baseball…attended Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn…was an all-conference performer and a preseason
All-America selection...served as the Cardinals’ Player Representative in 2004...was a member of the MLB All-Star
team that traveled to Japan at the end of the 2004 season...had a 1-0 record and did not allow a run in his four appearances
(2.2 IP)...he and his wife Cherie reside in Litchfield Park, AZ with their son, Tyrell and daughter, Brookelynn.
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