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Raymond Edmond Narleski (November 25, 1928 – March 29, 2012) was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Cleveland Indians (1954–58) and Detroit Tigers (1959). He batted and threw right-handed. His father, Bill Narleski, was a shortstop for the Boston Red Sox from 1929 to 1930.
Born in Camden, New Jersey, Narleski pitched for Collingswood High School.Staff. "Chronicling local legends", The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 4, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2013. "Narleski, who was born in Camden and played at Collingswood High, is the relief pitcher, and Burlington's Eddie Miksis is the utility player."Duhart, Bill. "Glimpse into the major league career of South Jersey's Ray Narleski", Courier-Post, April 13, 2000. Accessed November 22, 2013. "Ray Narleski, a pitcher, was playing in a South Jersey high schoolbaseball game, but something wasn't right. ... Narleski's Collingswood High School squad still won, 2- 1."
In a six-season career, Narleski posted a 43–33 record with 454 , a 3.60 ERA, and 58 saves in 702 innings pitched. He made the American League All-Star team in 1956 and 1958.
Narleski was an overpowering pitcher with a blazing fastball which he mixed with a sharp-breaking curveball and a change-up that can kept hitters guessing. Unfortunately, Narleski had a simple problem: he was overshadowed by one of the greatest pitching staffs in major league history, the Indians Big Four Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. Nevertheless, in his rookie season Narleski posted 13 saves for the 1954 AL Champions. In 1955 he went 9–1 and led the league with 19 saves and 60 appearances, and in 1957 he finished 11–5 with 16 saves. At this time, he gradually joined the starting rotation.
In 1958 Narleski went 13–10 in 44 games, 24 as a starter. At the end of the season he was sent to Detroit along with bullpen teammate Don Mossi, in the same trade that brought Billy Martin to the Indians. Hampered by shoulder problems in 1959, Narleski finished 4–12 with a 5.78 ERA and five saves in 42 games. Narleski missed Tiger special camp opens here the entire 1960 season due to a ruptured disc that required surgery. Narleski placed on disabled list Narleski went to Tigers spring training camp in 1961 but quit the club when Detroit wouldn't tell him whether he would make the roster or not. Narleski quits Tigers in huff Narleski saying "I won't go back to the minors", because it "means another year out of my arm and I'm too old for that." Won't go to minors- Narleski
Narleski was selected to the Top 100 Greatest Indians Roster as part of the club's 100th Anniversary Celebration in .
After his retirement, Narleski lived in Laurel Springs, New Jersey.Staff. "Glimpse into the major league career of South Jersey's Ray Narleski" , Courier-Post, April 13, 2000. Accessed June 1, 2015. "'When you're there in the major leagues, you're on top of the world,' said Narleski, 71, now retired and living in Laurel Springs." A resident of Gloucester Township, New Jersey at the time of his death, Narleski died at the age of 83 on March 29, 2012. He is buried in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, New JerseyPeticca, Mike. "Ray Narleski, 2-time all-star and part of Indians' great bullpen in historic 1954 season, dies at age 83", The Plain Dealer, April 2, 2012. Accessed November 22, 2013. "Narleski died of natural causes, his wife of 63 years, Ruth, said through the funeral home near the Narleski home in Gloucester Township, New Jersey."
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