RIP - Ray Barker

Early-1960s backup first baseman Ray Barker passed away on May 29, 2018 at age 82.

Barker played in the minors from 1955-64 and 1967. He also played for the Yankees from 1965-67, along with a few games for the Orioles in 1960 and Indians in 1965. Most of his big-league playing time came with the Yankees in 1965, when he started 43 games at first base behind Joe Pepitone.

Although with the Yankees for all of 1966, his playing time was diminished, and by September his role was filled by rookie call-up Mike Hegan.

Barker was traded to the Orioles in mid-1967 for pitcher Steve Barber (with Barber essentially taking the retired Whitey Ford's spot in the starting rotation).

Barker's final card (in the 1967 high-number series) is pictured above.

Obituary