Paul Ratliff
Encyclopedia
Paul Hawthorne Ratliff was a Major League Baseball
player, who played catcher
for the Minnesota Twins
during the 1963, 1970, and 1971 seasons and for the Milwaukee Brewers
1971-1972.
Ratliff played high school baseball in Pasadena, Texas
before being signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962. The next season Ratliff, at the age of nineteen, was on the Twins opening day roster. He appeared in ten games that season before being demoted to the minor leagues. Ratliff would not make it back to the majors till 1970.
In 1970 Ratliff split the Twins catching duties with George Mitterwald
and played in the 1970 American League Championship Series
. The next year Ratliff was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Phil Roof
. Ratliff played for the Brewers in 1971 and 1972 till he was traded to the California Angels on July 28th. He never appeared again in a major league game.
On April 25, 1970, Ratliff was involved in a bizarre play. Detroit Tigers
Pitcher Earl Wilson fans for the 3rd out in the 7th inning against the Twins. On the 3rd strike by Jim Kaat
‚ Ratliff traps the ball in the dirt‚ and must either throw to first base or tag the batter. Instead he rolls the ball back to the mound‚ ignoring the fact that ump John Rice has not signaled a strikeout. As the Twins head for their dugout‚ Wilson begins running the bases and is around third base when outfielder Brant Alyea
retrieves the ball and throws to shortstop Leo Cardenas
‚ who is standing by home. Wilson turns back to third base but Cardenas and Alyea run him down for a 7-6-7 out on a 3rd strike. Ratliff was charged with an error on the play.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, who played catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
during the 1963, 1970, and 1971 seasons and for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
1971-1972.
Ratliff played high school baseball in Pasadena, Texas
Pasadena, Texas
Pasadena is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. It is the second-largest city in Harris County, 17th-largest in Texas, and 162nd largest in the United States. The area was founded in 1893 by John H. Burnett of Galveston....
before being signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962. The next season Ratliff, at the age of nineteen, was on the Twins opening day roster. He appeared in ten games that season before being demoted to the minor leagues. Ratliff would not make it back to the majors till 1970.
In 1970 Ratliff split the Twins catching duties with George Mitterwald
George Mitterwald
George Eugene Mitterwald is a former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins, primarily as a catcher. His major league career lasted from 1966-77. His nickname was 'The Baron'.Following his retirement, he entered the minor league...
and played in the 1970 American League Championship Series
1970 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 3, 1970 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MinnesotaBaltimore only had to use their bullpen once in the series when Dick Hall came on to relieve Mike Cuellar in Game 1. Dave McNally and Jim Palmer both pitched complete games in Games 2 and 3.The Twins...
. The next year Ratliff was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Phil Roof
Phil Roof
Phillip Anthony Roof is an American former professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played for 15 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball in and from to , most notably for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins...
. Ratliff played for the Brewers in 1971 and 1972 till he was traded to the California Angels on July 28th. He never appeared again in a major league game.
On April 25, 1970, Ratliff was involved in a bizarre play. Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
Pitcher Earl Wilson fans for the 3rd out in the 7th inning against the Twins. On the 3rd strike by Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
‚ Ratliff traps the ball in the dirt‚ and must either throw to first base or tag the batter. Instead he rolls the ball back to the mound‚ ignoring the fact that ump John Rice has not signaled a strikeout. As the Twins head for their dugout‚ Wilson begins running the bases and is around third base when outfielder Brant Alyea
Brant Alyea
Garrabrant Ryerson Alyea was a Major League Baseball outfielder from to . In 1970, while playing for the Minnesota Twins, Alyea had two 7 RBI games, on April 7 and on September 7....
retrieves the ball and throws to shortstop Leo Cardenas
Leo Cárdenas
Leonardo Lazaro Cárdenas Alfonso was a prominent shortstop in American Major League Baseball for 16 years...
‚ who is standing by home. Wilson turns back to third base but Cardenas and Alyea run him down for a 7-6-7 out on a 3rd strike. Ratliff was charged with an error on the play.