Former Razorback Johnny Ray to SEC Baseball Legends for 2019

FAYETTEVILLE — Former two-time All-SWC selection and Major League veteran Johnny Ray has been named one of four Southeastern Conference legends that were announced by the conference office Thursday morning.

The Razorbacks baseball legend will be recognized at the 2019 SEC Baseball Tournament May 21-26 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.

A two-time All-Southwest Conference second baseman for the Razorbacks, Ray was a standout on the diamond in 1978 and 1979.

The two-year letterman helped lead the Razorbacks to a combined 80-28 record in his tenure including a national championship runner-up finish in 1979.

The Chouteau, Oklahoma, native led the team in numerous offensive categories in both seasons as a Razorback including at bats (154-1978, 235-1979), runs (27-1978, 55-1979) and hits (47-1978, 77-1979).

He also led the team in doubles in 1978 (8), triples in 1979 (12) and in RBI in 1979 (47).

Ray was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 1979 MLB Draft, and in 1982 he was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year.

He played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the California Angels. He made one All-Star game appearance as a member of the Angels in 1988.

Joining Ray in this year’s class is Doug Duke from Alabama, Josh Fogg from Florida and Jeremy Sowers from Vanderbilt.

Ray is the third Razorback to be named an SEC Legend since the inaugural year in 2012 as former Razorback All-American Kevin McReynolds was part of that first class, followed by hall of fame head coach Norm DeBriyn in 2016.