Ron Taylor, a relief pitcher for the Cardinals, Astros and Mets from 1963-1971, passed away today, June 16, 2025 at age 87.
Taylor began his pro career in the Indians' organization. He was a starting pitcher in their farm system from 1956-1962, making stops as varied as Daytona Beach, Fargo-Moorhead and Minot (both in North Dakota), Reading, PA and Salt Lake City.
He made his major-league debut with 8 games for the Indians during the first month of the '62 season, before spending the rest of the year back in triple-A.
Following the 1962 season, he was traded to the Cardinals for first baseman Fred Whitfield. In 1963 he started 9 of his 54 games, but rarely started a game after that season (and none after joining the Mets).
After 2 1/2 seasons in the Cards' bullpen, Taylor was traded to the Astros in June 1965 (with pitcher Mike Cuellar) for pitchers Hal Woodeshick and Chuck Taylor.
Acquired by the Mets before the 1967 season, he pitched for 5 seasons in the Big Apple, including 6 innings in the 1969 post-season, and picked up a win in the NLCS.
Taylor's contract was purchased by the Expos after the 1971 season, but he was released during Spring Training in 1972.
He was picked up by the Padres a month later, and appeared in 4 games over the next 4 weeks, but was released due to his ineffectiveness.
After his playing career, Taylor attended medical school, and in 1979 began a 3-decade stint as the Toronto Blue Jays' team physician.
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