One of the most colorful, and eccentric players, and perhaps the saddest of characters was Arthur "Bugs" Raymond. Raymond was known for his wicked spitter which could be thrown at various speeds and never lose its' effectiveness. but just as he was known for his pitching, he was also known for his elbow-bending which plagued him during his career and caused his demise.
Arthur Lawerence Raymond was born in Chicago, Il, on February 24, 1882. Before reaching the major leagues, he won 19 games for the Waterloo club of the Iowa State League at the age of 21, and destined for a good career. After having a good season with Atlanta of the Southern Association, Bugs started with the bottle. The Crackers' management saw fit to release Raymond who then signed with the Savanah club by promising them the pennant. If this bragadocious commitment didn't justify his nickname of "Bugs", other zany antics would.
He once walked the sixty feet, six inches to the pitcher's mound on his hands and when short of pocket change, traded baseballs for drinks. Once when playing for Charleston, he was reportedly seen being chauffered in a wheelbarrow while in a comatose condition by the manager of the ballclub!
Bugs made the "Big Show" with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1907. After posting a dismal 14-25 mark with the Cards the next season, the legendary John McGraw traded for him.
McGraw perceived a "diamond in the rough"; he could reform Raymond and his addiction to John Barleycorn. The next year Bugs recorded a 18-12 record, justifying McGraw's faith in his talent,
but he would dissapoint McGraw by falling off the wagon more than once.
In 1910, bugs went 4-9 in 19 contests. He was forced to dodge detectives that Mcgraw sent to accompany him in order to keep Bugs away from the drinking establishments. When that failed, McGraw sent the money to Raymond's wife,
Raymond exclaimed, "If she gets paid, let her pitch!"
The final straw came in a game with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1911.Bugs was sent to the bullpen in the fifth to warm up. When the 7th came along, Raymond was no where to be found. He later turned up at one of the local corner bars, having by-passed the bullpen in the process. McGraw finally threw up his hands and released his problem child.
In early 1912, after the separation from his wife, and the death of his five year old daughter from a childhood malady, bugs wrote a letter to McGraw, begging for another chance. McGraw replied, NO! he had problems of his own.
Bugs then drifted back to Chicago where
he latched on to an outlaw league, but that venture lasted but a few months.
In late August of the year, after an all day binge, Raymond staggered to a vacant lot where he once played. Soon a fight erupted, and in the milay, Raymond was kicked and beaten unmercifully. Finally he was helped to his motel room to sleep it off. A few days later, his body was discovered. The coroner declared that Raymond died from a fractured skull, caused by his injuries. Bugs Raymond was 30 years old.
» Jay Gauthreaux stll roots for the New York Yankees, and hopes they will return to their rightful place in the World Series.
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Copyright © 2002 by Jay Gauthreaux. Posted November 18, 2002.
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