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Ray Knight

Charles Ray Knight (born December 28, 1952) is an American former professional baseball infielder and manager, best known for earning the award in the as a member of the . Knight, a right-handed batter and thrower, debuted in with the in 1974 after being drafted by the team in the 10th round of the 1970 amateur draft out of Dougherty High School in . His career spanned 13 seasons, during which he played primarily at third base and first base for five teams, compiling a .270 over 1,373 games with 595 runs batted in. Knight's professional journey began with the Reds, where he spent eight seasons from 1974 to 1981, achieving a career-high .318 in 1979 and earning an selection in 1980. Traded to the Houston Astros in December 1981, he contributed to their appearance that year and earned an selection in 1982 before joining the Mets midseason in 1984. With the Mets, Knight solidified his legacy in 1986 by batting .298 during the regular season—earning National League Comeback Player of the Year honors—and delivering a .391 postseason average, including the game-winning run scored in on Bill Buckner's error and a crucial in Game 7 to secure the title against the Boston Red Sox. He concluded his playing career with brief stints for the Baltimore Orioles in 1987 and the Detroit Tigers in 1988. After retiring, Knight transitioned into broadcasting and coaching, serving as an analyst until 1993 and later as a coach for the from 1993 to 1995, manager from 1996 to mid-1997, and interim manager for one game in 2003. He worked as a pre- and post-game host for the on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network from 2007 to 2018. In his , Knight was married to professional golfer from 1982 until their divorce in 2009; the couple shared interests in sports and raised three daughters together.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Charles Ray Knight was born on December 28, 1952, in , to working-class parents. His father worked for the city's parks department, contributing to a modest background in the small Southern town. Early on, he developed an interest in sports, excelling in both and as a participant. His initial exposure to came through local Little League programs in , fostering his passion for the game amid the town's athletic culture. Knight attended Dougherty Comprehensive High School in , where he honed his skills on the field.

Amateur baseball career

Ray Knight honed his baseball abilities during his formative years in Albany, Georgia, where his family's ties to the local parks department provided early exposure to sports. His father, who worked for the city parks department, supported Knight's athletic interests, fostering his development as a promising . At Dougherty High School in Albany, Knight distinguished himself as a multi-sport standout, particularly in , where he earned recognition for his skills at third base and overall fielding prowess. He also competed successfully in , winning honors, which highlighted his competitive drive and physical talent transferable to the diamond. While specific high school batting averages and metrics are not widely documented, his performances were notable enough to attract professional scouts. Knight's high school achievements culminated in his selection by the in the 10th round of the 1970 MLB June Amateur Draft, as the 231st overall pick, directly from Dougherty High School. Opting to forgo opportunities, he signed a professional contract with the Reds shortly thereafter, launching his path toward .

Professional playing career

Cincinnati Reds years

Knight was selected by the in the 10th round of the 1970 out of Dougherty Comprehensive High School in . He began his professional career the following year in 1971 with the Rookie-level Sioux Falls Packers of the Northern League, where he batted .285 with 68 hits and 6 s over 62 games. In 1972, Knight advanced to Double-A with the Aigles in the Eastern League, posting a .212 average with 64 hits and 2 home runs in 118 games. His development continued in 1973, splitting time between Double-A (.280 average, 54 hits, 2 home runs in 56 games) and Triple-A (.217 average, 55 hits, 1 home run in 88 games). Knight spent most of 1974 at Triple-A , batting .227 with 80 hits and 5 home runs across 126 games, preparing him for his major league transition. Knight made his MLB debut on September 10, 1974, as a late-season call-up for the , entering as a defensive replacement at third base against the Padres; he appeared in 14 games that year, batting .182 with 2 hits. From 1975 through 1976, he shuttled between the majors and Triple-A but saw limited action with . During his full tenure with the from 1974 to 1981, Knight primarily served as a utility infielder amid the decline of the "" dynasty, offering versatility at third base, first base, and as a while backing up legends like and . He absorbed lessons from Rose on hitting and base running and from Bench on leadership and preparation, contributing to team morale during competitive seasons in the late . In 1977, his first extended major league stint, Knight played 80 games with a .261 average. He struggled offensively in 1978 (.200 average in 83 games) but rebounded significantly in 1979 after assuming the starting third base role following Rose's departure to the Phillies, batting .318 with 175 hits, 10 home runs, and 79 over 150 games to help the reach the playoffs. Knight followed with a solid 1980 campaign (.264 average, 14 home runs, 78 in 162 games) and hit .259 in the strike-shortened 1981 season. Over his career, he maintained a .271 with 477 hits in 595 games. Following the 1981 season, the Reds traded Knight to the Astros on December 18 in exchange for outfielder , clearing the path for Bench to move to third base in his final playing years.

Houston Astros tenure

Ray Knight was acquired by the Astros in a trade with the on December 18, 1981, in exchange for outfielder . Upon joining the team, Knight transitioned into a prominent role in the infield, splitting time primarily between first base and third base as he provided steady production during his three seasons with Houston from 1982 to 1984. His arrival bolstered an Astros lineup that had recently experienced postseason success, including an NLCS appearance in 1980 and a division title in 1981, helping maintain the team's competitiveness in the early 1980s. Knight's most productive stretch came in 1982 and 1983, where he established himself as one of the Astros' top hitters. In 1982, he batted .294 with 6 home runs and 70 , leading all regular players in average and earning his second selection, where he started at third base. The following year, 1983, Knight improved further with a .304 , 9 home runs, and 70 over 144 games, primarily at first base, while also receiving the Hutch Award for his perseverance and character. These performances highlighted his emergence as a reliable middle-of-the-order presence on a squad that finished third in the NL West with a 90-72 record in 1983. Over his tenure with the Astros, Knight appeared in 391 games, compiling a .288 with 17 home runs and 169 . His consistent contributions at the plate helped anchor the infield during a transitional period for the franchise, though injuries and a slow start limited him to a .223 average in 88 games during the 1984 season before his departure. On August 28, 1984, the Astros traded Knight to the in exchange for Gerald Young, Manuel Lee, and Mitch .

New York Mets season

Ray Knight was traded to the from the Houston Astros on August 28, 1984, in exchange for outfielder Gerald Young, infielder Manuel Lee, and pitcher Mitch Cook. Upon joining the Mets, Knight provided veteran leadership and flexibility at third base and first base, integrating into the lineup of the high-powered "Amazin' Mets" offense that featured sluggers in right field and at first base. Knight's tenure with the Mets spanned 1984 to 1986, culminating in the team's dominant 108-54 regular-season record and title in 1986. In the 1986 regular season, Knight appeared in 137 games, batting .298 with 11 home runs and 76 RBI while splitting time primarily at third base. His contributions were part of a Mets lineup that led the National League in runs scored (783) and featured a potent mix of power and speed. Knight's postseason performance elevated his role in Mets history. In the National League Championship Series against his former team, the Astros, he batted .167 but delivered crucial hits, including an RBI single in the ninth inning of Game 6 to tie the score at 5-5, sparking a 16-inning marathon victory that clinched the pennant. In the World Series versus the Boston Red Sox, Knight slashed .391/.440/.565 with one home run and five RBI over six games. His standout effort came in Game 7 on October 27, 1986, at Shea Stadium, where he went 3-for-6, including a two-run homer in the seventh inning that tied the game at 5-5 en route to an 8-5 Mets win in 10 innings; this performance earned him the World Series MVP award. A defining image from the series occurred after the winning run scored in Game 6 on Mookie Wilson's grounder through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs—Knight, racing home from second, leaped exuberantly into the arms of his celebrating teammates, a moment that has become iconic in Mets lore symbolizing the team's resilient spirit. After the championship, Knight entered free agency on November 12, 1986, and subsequently signed with the Orioles for the 1987 season.

Baltimore Orioles stint

Following his triumphant MVP performance with the , Ray Knight entered free agency on November 12, 1986, after declining the team's one-year, $800,000 offer. Seeking to continue his career as a steady veteran presence, he signed a one-year contract worth $475,000 plus incentives with the Orioles on February 12, 1987, primarily to anchor the infield at third base and provide leadership to a rebuilding squad. In his lone full season with Baltimore, Knight appeared in 150 games, posting a .256 batting average with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs while splitting time between third base and first base. His contributions offered some stability to the lineup, but the performance marked a step down from his Mets peak amid ongoing health issues, including treatment for multiple kidney stones via lithotripsy procedure early in spring training. The Orioles, managed by Cal Ripken Sr., endured a challenging year, finishing sixth in the American League East with a 67-95 record and failing to contend in a competitive division. Knight's Orioles tenure highlighted the physical toll of his 13-year major league journey, as he later reflected on the stint as a period of adjustment to a losing environment after championship glory, emphasizing his role in mentoring younger players despite the frustrations of the team's inconsistencies. Traded to the Tigers in 1988 before the second year of his contract, he played a part-time role in his final season, where declining production and injuries contributed to his and subsequent retirement at age 35.

Overall statistics and awards

Over his 13-season career from 1974 to 1988, Ray Knight appeared in 1,373 games, compiling a .271 with 1,311 hits, 84 home runs, and 595 runs batted in. He also scored 490 runs and stole 65 bases, contributing to a career () of .718 and a total () of 14.2 according to Baseball-Reference calculations. Knight primarily played third base, logging 1,031 games at the position, while also seeing significant action at first base (361 games) and occasional stints as a (39 games), (23 games), (10 games), and shortstop (4 games). His defensive versatility allowed him to fill multiple roles across teams, though he never won a . Among his major honors, Knight was selected to the All-Star Game twice, in 1980 and 1982. In 1979, he earned the Cincinnati Reds' MVP Award after finishing fifth in voting. He received the Houston Astros Award in 1982, the Hutch Award in 1983 for his perseverance amid personal challenges, and the Babe Ruth Award as the 's postseason MVP in 1986. His pinnacle achievement came in 1986, when he was named MVP after batting .391 with one and five RBI, including the game-winning homer in Game 7, helping the defeat the Boston Red Sox. Knight also finished 14th in 1986 NL MVP voting and was recognized as Comeback Player of the Year that season. In comparison to contemporaries from the "Big Red Machine" era and 1980s third basemen, Knight's career ranked below power hitters like Mike (.908) but aligned with solid contributors such as Ron (.726), reflecting his role as a reliable, contact-oriented rather than a dominant slugger. His placed him among mid-tier performers at the position during that period, underscoring contributions to multiple playoff teams without elite offensive peaks.

Post-playing career

Managerial roles

Ray Knight was promoted to manager of the Cincinnati Reds following the 1995 season, after the dismissal of Davey Johnson, under whom Knight had served as bench coach since joining the organization in 1993. In his first full season in 1996, Knight led the Reds to an 81-81 record, finishing third in the National League Central division. The 1997 season proved challenging, with the Reds struggling to a 43-56 mark through 99 games before Knight was fired on July 25, 1997, amid reports of poor performance and strained relations with team ownership. His dismissal was attributed to the team's inability to contend and a loss of player respect, leading to the interim appointment of Jack McKeon. Knight's overall managerial record with the stood at 125 wins and 137 losses, yielding a .477 over 262 games. Known for his passionate and intense managing style, Knight emphasized emotional investment from his players, though this approach sometimes led to conflicts, including a for arguing with umpires. He briefly returned to the in 2003 as bench coach and served as interim manager for one game following Bob Boone's firing, securing a before yielding to Dave Miley.

Coaching and broadcasting positions

After retiring as a player following the 1988 season, Knight transitioned into , serving as an analyst for from 1989 until 1993. In 1993, he returned to as a coach for the under manager , initially focusing on hitting instruction before expanding to third-base coaching duties in 1994 and serving as bench coach in 1995; during this period, the Reds achieved strong finishes, including first place in the strike-shortened 1994 and 1995 divisions. Knight briefly returned to coaching in 2002 as bench coach for the , a role he held into 2003, where he also managed one game victoriously after the midseason firing of before handing over to interim manager Dave Miley. Following his Reds tenure, Knight resumed broadcasting with in the late 1990s. He later joined the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network () in 2007 as a studio analyst and host of the "NatsXtra" pre- and postgame show for telecasts, a position he held until his departure in 2018. Knight's broadcasting style drew on his extensive playing experience at third base, offering empathetic insights into player decision-making and game situations, which resonated with audiences during his ESPN and MASN stints. As of 2023, Knight was retired from full-time broadcasting roles and residing in , though he continued to provide occasional commentary on the Mets, including analysis of their 2024 playoff push in media interviews.

Personal life

Marriage to Nancy Lopez

Ray Knight first met professional golfer Nancy Lopez in 1978 while both were participating in exhibition events in Japan. Their relationship developed after Lopez's divorce from sportscaster Tim Melton in 1982, leading to their marriage on October 25, 1982, in a private ceremony at Knight's parents' home in Pelham, . The couple formed a blended , with Knight bringing a son, Brooks, from his previous to Sharon Knight, and together they had three daughters: (born 1983), Erinn (born 1986), and Torri (born 1991). No children resulted from Lopez's first . Throughout their , Knight and Lopez provided mutual support amid demanding professional schedules, with Knight frequently attending Lopez's Tour events and occasionally caddying for her, while Lopez traveled to support Knight during his MLB seasons, including his pivotal role in the ' 1986 victory, where he earned honors. Their cross-sport commitments often created logistical challenges, requiring careful coordination of travel and responsibilities to maintain balance. Knight and Lopez remained married for 27 years until their divorce in 2009.

Later activities and legacy

Knight has actively participated in commemorative events celebrating the 1986 ' victory. He attended the 25th anniversary in 2011 at Strawberry's Sports Grill in Douglaston, , alongside teammates including . Knight also joined the 30th anniversary reunion at in 2016, marking his first on-field gathering with the team since the championship and highlighting the enduring bonds among the players. As of late 2025, discussions around a potential 40th anniversary event in 2026 have surfaced among former teammates, underscoring the championship's lasting cultural significance, though specific plans involving Knight remain unconfirmed. In 2022, Knight's son Brooks from his first marriage died at the age of 42. Knight's legacy as a Mets icon is cemented by his pivotal role in the 1986 postseason, particularly his exuberant leap down the third-base line after scoring the game-winning run in Game 6 against the Boston Red Sox, a moment that symbolizes the team's dramatic triumph. He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to baseball from his Albany, Georgia, roots. In recent years, Knight has provided commentary on the Mets' performance, praising their 2024 resurgence after an early-season slump of 24-35, attributing the turnaround to improved chemistry and resilience under manager Carlos Mendoza that positioned them for a wild-card spot. As of 2025, he continues to reside in Georgia, with no reported major health issues or relocations since recovering from a minor fall in 2023. Knight's enduring impact extends to cultural depictions of the 1986 Mets, including his participation in the 2021 ESPN documentary series Once Upon a Time in Queens, which explores the team's rise, on-field success, and off-field dynamics through interviews with key figures. His involvement in such projects reinforces his status as a bridge between the championship era and contemporary narratives.

References

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