Episode 115: Johnny Ray

Johnny Ray and legendary head coach Norm DeBriyn take us through the story of two-time all-Southwest Conference performer who turned out to be an MLB All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner to establish one of the most storied careers in Razorback history. The JUCO transfer struggled early in his life after losing his father in an accident while in college. The tragedy shaped Ray into the person and player he came to be. He helped build the bedrock of Arkansas baseball as he helped take the Hogs to their first-ever College World Series appearance, coming up just short of a national title. Ray transitioned his success to the big leagues, being named the 1982 Rookie of the Year. But to Ray, the success was not his alone — he wanted to give back to the program and coach that had meant so much to him. Ray and some fellow teammates came together and self-funded a project to add lights to George Cole Field — a move that helped shape the future of Arkansas baseball. Johnny Ray’s footprint on the Razorback program can not be understated and echoes to this day.