{{short description|American baseball player (born 1971)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Ron Mahay |image=Ron Mahay (131228460) (cropped).jpg |caption=Mahay with the Oklahoma RedHawks in 2006 |position=Pitcher |bats=Left |throws=Left |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1971|6|28}} |birth_place=Crestwood, Illinois, U.S. |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=May 21 |debutyear=1995 |debutteam=Boston Red Sox |finalleague = MLB |finaldate=August 21 |finalyear=2010 |finalteam=Minnesota Twins |statleague = MLB |stat1label=Win–loss record |stat1value=27–12 |stat2label=Earned run average |stat2value=3.83 |stat3label=Strikeouts |stat3value=470 |teams= *Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|1995}}, {{mlby|1997}}–{{mlby|1998}}) *Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2000}}) *Florida Marlins ({{mlby|2000}}) *Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2001}}–{{mlby|2002}}) *Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2007}}) *Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2007}}) *Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}}) *Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}}) }} '''Ronald Matthew Mahay''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|h|eɪ}}; born June 28, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins. After retiring from active play in January 2013, he was named a scout by the Los Angeles Dodgers for the {{baseball year|2014}} season.<ref>''Baseball America'', January 31, 2014, page 27</ref> He is currently the pitching coach for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League.
==Professional career==
===Boston Red Sox=== Mahay was drafted as an outfielder in the 18th round (486th overall) of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox out of South Suburban College, a junior college in South Holland, Illinois, where he both pitched and played center field.<ref>{{Cite web |title=18th Round of the 1991 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=1991&draft_round=18&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}</ref> When the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike lasted into spring training the following year, Mahay was one of the replacement players called up by the Red Sox. As a consequence, Mahay (and all other {{mlby|1995}} replacement players who later made the big leagues) is not eligible for membership in the Major League Baseball Players Association.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB Replacement Players |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/replacement_players.shtml |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref>
Mahay made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on May 21, 1995, as an outfielder, and appeared in five games, batting .200 with four hits in 20 at-bats, including two doubles and a home run.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ron Mahay Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mahayro01.shtml |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}</ref> He was returned to the minors after a month. In {{mlby|1996}}, Mahay moved from the outfield to the pitching mound where he spent the off-season with the Gold Coast Cougars in the Australian Baseball League perfecting his adaptation to pitcher.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Crothers |first=Tom |date=September 1, 1997 |title=PITCHING STOPPED PHILADELPHIA'S RUN AT A HISTORICALLY BAD YEAR A FORECAST FOR EXPANSION LINEUPS A HURLER IS BORN |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/09/01/pitching-stopped-philadelphias-run-at-a-historically-bad-year-a-forecast-for-expansion-lineups-a-hurler-is-born |access-date=December 20, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
On July 15, {{mlby|1997}}, Mahay was called up by Boston.<ref name=":0" /> He made his first pitching appearance on July 17 against the Baltimore Orioles. In his one inning of work, he struck out Roberto Alomar and allowed a home run to Rafael Palmeiro, ultimately earning the win in Boston's 12–9 victory.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 1997 |title=Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Box Score: July 17, 1997 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL199707170.shtml |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}</ref> Mahay finished the season with a 3–0 record and a 2.52 ERA in 28 appearances.<ref name=":1" />
In {{mlby|1998}}, Mahay went 1–1 with one save and a 3.46 ERA in 29 appearances. He struck out 14 batters while walking 15 in 26 innings pitched.<ref name=":1" />
===Oakland Athletics=== On March 30, {{mlby|1999}}, the Oakland Athletics claimed Mahay off waivers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McAdam |first=Sean |date=March 30, 1999 |title=Mahay slips through Boston's safety net |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1999/03/31/mahay-slips-through-boston-s/50530476007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=The Standard-Times |language=en-US}}</ref> He spent most of the 1999 season with the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians, going 7–2 with a 4.29 ERA in 32 games (15 starts).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Ron Mahay Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mahay-001ron |access-date=December 19, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}</ref> On September 2, Mahay was recalled as part of Oakland's September call-ups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Brian |date=September 2, 1999 |title=Olivares is relief to bullpen |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/article/Olivares-is-relief-to-bullpen-3069413.php |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=CT Insider |language=en}}</ref> He appeared in six games (one start) for the A's in 1999, going 2–0 with one save and a 1.86 ERA.<ref name=":1" />
Mahay struggled to begin {{mlby|2000}}, going 0–1 with a 9.00 ERA in five games (two starts).<ref name=":1" /> He was designated for assignment on May 8.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2000 |title=Old man pitches for majors' youngest team |url=https://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2000/0511/527446.html |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
===Florida Marlins=== On May 11, 2000, Mahay's contract was purchased by the Florida Marlins.<ref name=":3" /> While pitching for the Marlins, Mahay recorded his last two Major League hits, a single and a double, in four at-bats. He appeared in 18 games with the Marlins, and posted a 1–0 record and a 6.04 ERA.<ref name=":1" />
===San Diego Padres=== Mahay signed with the San Diego Padres as a free agent on November 20, 2000.<ref name=":1" /> He was released on May 15, 2001. At the time, he had posted a 1–2 record and a 3.78 ERA in 14 games with the Triple-A Portland Beavers.<ref name=":2" />
===Chicago Cubs=== Mahay signed with the Chicago Cubs on May 19, {{mlby|2001}}.<ref name=":1" /> He split his time over the next two seasons with the Cubs and their Triple-A Iowa Cubs. At the major league level in 2001, Mahay posted a 2.61 ERA in 17 relief appearances. In {{mlby|2002}}, he was 2–0 with an ERA of 8.59 in 11 appearances with the Cubs.<ref name=":1" />
===Texas Rangers=== On December 13, 2002, Mahay signed with the Texas Rangers.<ref name=":1" /> He started the {{mlby|2003}} season with the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks. On June 27, he was called up to Texas,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 27, 2003 |title=TRANSACTIONS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/27/sports/transactions-308480.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226224846/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/27/sports/transactions-308480.html |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref> and remained with the big league club almost exclusively until his tenure with the Rangers ended. Mahay went 3–3 with a 3.18 ERA in 35 relief appearances in 2003.<ref name=":1" />
{{mlby|2004}} was a career year for Mahay, as he notched a career-highs in appearances (60), ERA (2.55) and strikeouts (54).<ref name=":1" /> He was one of the mainstays of the Rangers' bullpen from 2003-{{mlby|2007}}, especially in the {{mlby|2005}} and {{mlby|2006}} seasons, as Mahay (along with C. J. Wilson) was one of only two regular left-handed relievers on the Rangers' roster.
===Atlanta Braves=== On July 30, 2007, Mahay was traded along with Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves for Elvis Andrus, Beau Jones, Neftalí Feliz, Matt Harrison and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bowman |first=Mark |date=July 31, 2007 |title=Braves finalize deal for slugger Teixeira |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2119864&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712072313/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2119864&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |archive-date=July 12, 2010 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=Atlanta Braves |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> In his Braves debut on August 1, Mahay tossed a scoreless eighth inning in a 12–3 rout of the Houston Astros.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lutz |first=Jeff |date=August 2, 2007 |title=Teixeira powers Braves in debut |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123254&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010035800/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123254&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Atlanta Braves |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> He earned his first win as a Brave on August 11, 2007, against the Philadelphia Phillies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowman |first=Mark |date=August 11, 2007 |title=Mahay's effort helps Braves top Phils |url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/2143164 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912022822/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/2143164 |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Atlanta Braves |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> He finished the season 3–0 with one save and a combined 2.55 ERA in 58 games with Texas and Atlanta.<ref name=":1" /> Mahay elected free agency on October 29.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowman |first=Mark |date=October 29, 2007 |title=Franco, Mahay file for free agency |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071029&content_id=2287896&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031062542/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071029&content_id=2287896&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |archive-date=October 31, 2007 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Atlanta Braves |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> On December 7, he declined the Braves' arbitration offer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowman |first=Mark |date=December 7, 2007 |title=Mahay declines arbitration |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071207&content_id=2321174&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209014110/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071207&content_id=2321174&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |archive-date=December 9, 2007 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Atlanta Braves |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref>
===Kansas City Royals=== On December 20, 2007, Mahay reached an agreement on a two-year, $8 million contract with the Kansas City Royals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheldon |first=Mark |date=December 20, 2007 |title=Mahay signs two-year deal with Royals |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071219&content_id=2333791&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221182545/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071219&content_id=2333791&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> For the {{mlby|2008}} season, he was 5–0 with a 3.48 ERA in 57 relief appearances.<ref name=":1" /> Mahay struggled during the {{mlby|2009}} season, going 1–1 with a 4.79 ERA in 41 relief appearances.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2009 |title=KC cuts Mahay, promotes Yabuta |url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/2009/08/25/kc-cuts-mahay-promotes-yabuta/16595773007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=The Topeka Capital-Journal |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He was released by the Royals on August 24.<ref name=":4" />
===Minnesota Twins=== On August 29, 2009, Mahay signed with the Minnesota Twins.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2009 |title=Twins add left-hander Mahay to struggling 'pen |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4431281 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He went 1–0 with a 2.00 ERA in 16 relief appearances with Minnesota.<ref name=":1" /> Mahay also saw his first postseason action, recording a 5.40 ERA in the New York Yankees' three-game series sweep of the Twins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Mahay Postseason Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mahayro01&t=p&year=0&post=1 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}</ref> At the end of the 2009 season, Mahay became a free agent.
On March 24, {{mlby|2010}}, Mahay signed a minor league contract to rejoin the Twins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=March 25, 2010 |title=Veteran Mahay joins fray of bullpen battle |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100325&content_id=8925796&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328093539/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100325&content_id=8925796&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> He returned to the majors on April 13, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2010 |title=Ron Mahay returns to Minnesota Twins |url=https://www.twincities.com/2010/04/13/ron-mahay-returns-to-minnesota-twins/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |language=en-US}}</ref> In 41 relief appearances, Mahay went 1–1 with an ERA of 3.44.<ref name=":1" />
===Los Angeles Dodgers=== On February 3, 2011, Mahay signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, that included an invite to spring training.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |date=February 3, 2011 |title=Dodgers agree to minor league deal with Mahay |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=6087986 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> He was unable to win a spot on the Dodgers major league roster and was released on March 26.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Axisa |first=Mike |date=March 26, 2011 |title=Dodgers Release Ron Mahay |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/dodgers-release-ron-mahay.html |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Arizona Diamondbacks=== Mahay signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 8, 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=April 8, 2011 |title=D'Backs To Sign Ron Mahay |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/04/dbacks-to-sign-ron-mahay-.html |access-date= |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> but was released on May 13.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=May 13, 2011 |title=D'Backs Release Ron Mahay |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/05/dbacks-release-ron-mahay.html |access-date= |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
===St. Louis Cardinals=== He signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on July 5, 2011, and was assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=July 5, 2011 |title=Cardinals Sign Blaine Boyer, Ron Mahay |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/cardinals-sign-blaine-boyer-ron-mahay-.html |accessdate=July 5, 2011 |work=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> He elected to become a free agent on August 12. He made 12 appearances for Memphis, recording a 1.64 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=August 12, 2011 |title=Cardinals Release Ron Mahay |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/cardinals-release-ron-mahay-.html |accessdate=August 12, 2011 |work=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref>
===Cincinnati Reds=== On January 13, 2012, Mahay signed a minor league contract with the Reds,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=January 13, 2012 |title=Reds Sign Ron Mahay, Clay Zavada |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/reds-sign-ron-mahay-clay-zavada.html |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> but was released on May 11 after posting a 4.50 ERA in only 18 innings of work.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Links |first=Zachary |date=May 14, 2012 |title=Minor Moves: Johnson, Mahay, Thurston, Bates, Garko |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/05/minor-moves-thurston-bates-mahay.html |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
On January 27, 2013, Mahay officially announced his retirement from baseball. At the time of his retirement, Mahay was the last active replacement player from the 1995 spring training.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cafardo |first=Nick |date=January 26, 2013 |title=Braves double down on streaky Uptons |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/01/26/braves-acquisition-upton-brothers-spurs-debate/2lga8flNLTfIErTdIby28M/story.html |website=The Boston Globe}}</ref>
==Personal== Mahay and his wife, the former Alison Palmieri, were married on November 7, 1998. They have two daughters, Madison Parker and Mackenzie Reece, and a son, Mason Patrick. Mahay now lives in Burbank, California, where he has been an assistant varsity baseball coach at John Burroughs High School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Mahay - Varsity Assistant Coach |url=http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=BURROUGHSBASEBALL&s=baseball&p=coachprofile&sportsHQ=BURROUGHSBASEBALL&coachID=92432 |website=John Burroughs High School}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats | mlb=118158 | espn=3235 | br=m/mahayro01 | fangraphs=290 | brm=mahay-001ron}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahay, Ron}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada Category:Atlanta Braves players Category:Baseball players from Chicago Category:Boston Red Sox players Category:Calgary Cannons players Category:Chicago Cubs players Category:Florida Marlins players Category:Fort Myers Miracle players Category:Frisco RoughRiders players Category:Gulf Coast Red Sox players Category:Iowa Cubs players Category:Kansas City Royals players Category:Los Angeles Dodgers scouts Category:Louisville Bats players Category:Lynchburg Red Sox players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Major League Baseball replacement players Category:Memphis Redbirds players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:New Britain Red Sox players Category:Oakland Athletics players Category:Oklahoma RedHawks players Category:Palm Beach Cardinals players Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players Category:Portland Beavers players Category:Reno Aces players Category:Sarasota Red Sox players Category:South Suburban Bulldogs baseball players Category:Texas Rangers players Category:Trenton Thunder players Category:Vancouver Canadians players Category:Winter Haven Red Sox players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Australia