21 Facts About Ralph Garr

1.

Ralph Allen Garr was born on December 12,1945, and nicknamed "Road Runner", is an American former professional baseball player, scout, and coach.

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2.

Ralph Garr played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1968 through 1980 — most notably as a member of the Atlanta Braves — and eventually with the Chicago White Sox and California Angels.

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3.

Ralph Garr was a free swinger who could confound defenses by hitting to all parts of the outfield.

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4.

Ralph Garr was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and worked as a shoe shine boy at a local barber shop growing up.

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5.

In 1967, as a second baseman for the Grambling State Tigers baseball team, Ralph Garr led the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics with a record.

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6.

Ralph Garr's accomplishment earned mention in Sports Illustrated's "Faces In The Crowd" right around the same time he was being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.

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7.

Ralph Garr was converted to an outfielder with the Shreveport Braves in 1968, and remained in the outfield for the rest of his career.

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8.

The speedy Ralph Garr appeared in 11 games with the Braves, but never needed his glove once, as he was used as a pinch hitter or pinch runner in each of his appearances, and never once was kept in the game.

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9.

Ralph Garr hit a second home run in the 12th for the walk-off victory.

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10.

Ralph Garr became so popular with fans in Atlanta that the Braves negotiated exclusive big-league baseball rights with Warner Bros.

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11.

Ralph Garr scored a career high 101 runs batting second in the Braves' batting order.

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12.

Ralph Garr had 149 hits heading into the All-Star break that year, a record which stands to this day, to earn selection to the National League All-Star team.

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13.

Ralph Garr spent much of his early career believing he was greatly underpaid by the Braves, so after that career year Ralph Garr sought a raise to $114,500 for the 1975 season, more than double what he received in 1974, at which the Braves countered with $85,000.

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14.

The contract dispute went to arbitration, with Ralph Garr winning to become the highest paid player on the team, and the first player in major league history to double his salary through arbitration.

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15.

Ralph Garr did lead the league in triples for a second year in a row.

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16.

Ralph Garr had an off year in 1978, putting up career lows in just about every offensive category.

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17.

Ralph Garr started the 1979 season in left field, but shortly after Tony La Russa replaced Don Kessinger as White Sox manager, Ralph Garr was replaced by a revolving door of left fielders, with Alan Bannister, Thad Bosley, Junior Moore, and Wayne Nordhagen all manning the position at one point or another.

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18.

Ralph Garr was used as a designated hitter in California, but managed to bat just.

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19.

Ralph Garr became part-owner and a part-time worker at Kaloche doughnut shop in Houston, Texas following his retirement.

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20.

Ralph Garr played professional softball for Lima Steele's in the United Professional Softball League during their 1982 season.

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21.

Ralph Garr was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, Grambling State University Alumni Hall of Fame in 1991, the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame in 2006 and the International League Hall of Fame in 2008.

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