Coming of Age - Ray Graham

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Wind Dancers
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Coming of Age - Ray Graham

#1 Post by Wind Dancers »

Coming of Age - Ray Graham

This season, for the first time in his 11 year pro career, Ray Graham earned a spot on the IL all-star team. He was even given the nod to start this historical game. The Graham we know now is the accurate hurler that leads the Hartford Harpoon who are currently battling for a playoff spot. But in order to know Ray Graham today, you need to know how he got here.

Detroit, a city with a bad reputation, is where this story starts. On October 17, 1991, Ray Graham was born to a single mother living in a low-income neighborhood. Growing up, Graham didn’t talk much and was very much a loner in a rough situation to be in as a child. But at 6 years old, Graham’s mother found out about a tee-ball program at the local community center. The secluded Graham almost immediately fell in love with the game in what was his first taste of a team environment. Baseball seems like a match made in heaven to Ray, as the once lonely kid began spending all of his time practicing and learning more about the game he loved to play. As the little league years went by, Graham started to stand-out from his teammates showing advanced game knowledge and ability for such a young age. His ability guided him to an advanced program of some of the best players in Detroit. It was on this team where Graham really took off and where he would continue to develop through Highschool.

Ray always felt more comfortable on his own. He had nothing against his teammates and generally got along with everyone, but he liked the feeling of self-reliance. His personality and throwing arm was a perfect match for the pitcher’s mound, where he was electrifying. Immediately catching coaches eye’s Graham had pinpoint control throughout high school garnering plenty of scouts early on in his 4-year tenure. As a sophomore, he was already the ace on the team, and he loved it. Growing up a kid needing to rely on himself, Graham carried over the same mindset to the mound, not giving opponents a chance. During his senior year, Graham was a top recruit to most colleges but Graham could only think about his mother. The one person who supported him unconditionally was also the one person he didn’t want to leave. Then, the supportive mother who would do anything for her son and didn’t want to hold him back, told her son wherever he would go, she would follow. Wanting to leave the city of Detroit once and for all, Graham accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Connecticut. So in 2010, the Graham family made the move to Storrs Connecticut where Ray decided to play college ball. Little did he know, his emotional rollercoaster wasn’t over yet.

Ray’s first season at UCONN went as good as you could imagine after he earned a rotation spot immediately. In his first season as a Husky, Graham went 5-1 across 12 starts finishing with a strong 3.09 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. A kid who loved baseball was getting to do the one thing he loved to do, but in 2011, it would all come crashing down. Ray always gave his love unconditionally to baseball a trait he learned from his mother. But early on in the 2011 season, something was wrong. Graham had a 10.24 ERA through the first and had been complaining about fatigue and pain in his shoulder. Injuries were never a worry for Graham who had generally grown up healthy. But the worst possible outcome for Graham came true as it was confirmed he has torn his labrum and would miss the rest of the season. At the time, UCONN was steamrolling teams and in fact, would go on to make playoffs that season. But Graham felt he had let himself, his team, and most importantly his mother down. His event was mentally shattering for the young 19-year-old, but once again his mother came to the rescue. After assuring her son just how proud she was of him, Ray promised to come back better than ever and NEVER give up again. Graham worried coaches who thought he was overworking himself when he should be healing. But without issue, Ray made his return in 2012 in a big way. He finished 9-3 with a 3.70 ERA, but most importantly he led his team to the 2012 United States Collegiate Baseball Association UCSBA World Series where they won. Graham’s hard work had finally paid off and put him on the draft board for a few PEBA teams. Declining the draft, Graham decided to return to UCONN to earn his degree making him the first in his family to do so.

Graham entered the 2013 draft as a first round talent and was grabbed early at pick 7 by the Aurora Borealis. After receiving his signing bonus, Graham immediately bought his other a home in Connecticut where the family had finally found a stable environment and the mother had found a husband.

Despite having considerable talent, Graham struggled a bit in the minors making AAA in 2015 where he would stay for a whopping 5 years. Feeling his career had stagnated, Graham was unsure what the future would hold. Ray had managed 2 games at the major league level where he was shelled repeatedly. But after being sent back down to AAA, Graham was claimed on Waivers by the Omaha Cyclones who moved to Hartford as the Harpoon just 1 season later, something Graham enjoyed for obvious reasons. Graham struggled as a starter for 2 seasons before being moved to the pen in 2022 where he refound his dominance.

Graham has a 35-27 record over the past 2 seasons and has turned into the consistent ace of the Hartford rotation. He is close to his family, playing the game he loves in a city that loves him back. Sometimes it’s not about where you are, but where you came from.
Dylan Krupilis
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Re: Coming of Age - Ray Graham

#2 Post by Sandgnats »

Great story
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Re: Coming of Age - Ray Graham

#3 Post by Borealis »

Nice Story Dylan!!

Although Graham was the 31st overall pick in that long ago 2013 draft, he has lasted longer - and with more success than Aurora's top pick that year - SP Drake Fisher (#24 overall). Ray's fate was not unlike many others over the years - Aurora's rotation has repeatedly been a tough cookie to crack. I'm definitely thrilled to see him have the late-in-the-career success he's having! I always liked the guy...
Michael Topham, President Golden Entertainment & President-CEO of the Aurora Borealis
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Re: Coming of Age - Ray Graham

#4 Post by Wind Dancers »

Thanks guys. Hopefully, my owner will up my budget so I can actually extend him in the offseason.
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Re: Coming of Age - Ray Graham

#5 Post by Leones »

I enjoyed reading this. Nice work! ;-D
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