Miracle pitcher avid outdoorsman

Gray goes more than a year between victories

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

When Josh Gray isn't outside throwing baseballs, he's usually still outside, hunting or fishing.

The left-handed relief pitcher and outdoors lover on the Fort Myers Miracle baseball team said next week, his parents plan to bring him a shipment of frozen meat from a deer he killed over the winter.

Gray hopes he will not have to wait nearly that long for his next win.

Gray, 24, earned his first win of the season and his first win in more than a year Monday night in Dunedin, where the Miracle defeated the Blue Jays 13-9.

"My first two starts last year, I got wins," said Gray, who previously won a game April 16, 2004, while playing for the Miracle, the Class A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

Gray, however, proceeded to finish last season with a 2-10 record and a 5.84 ERA, with 56 strikeouts and 40 walks.

The native of Orange, Texas, near Beaumont, has started to turn things around this year, so far compiling a 1-2 record, a 3.76 ERA, 32 strikeouts and 19 walks.

"If he gets it in his mind that he has to get out those left-handed hitters, he'll be OK," Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram said. "Sometimes, he gets in a hurry, and he gets out of rhythm. I don't think he panics. I just think he goes too quickly sometimes."

An avid hunter and fisherman, Gray fishes for bass before just about every home game at the Lee County Sports Complex, where the Miracle will return at 7:05 tonight to face the Tampa Yankees.

Gray also fishes during road trips.

"The best spots on the road are when we go to Brevard County," Gray said. "There's about four ponds, all around the hotel. We bought ourselves a $10 fishing reel and equipment and went out there."

During his baseball offseason, Gray hunts for deer or hogs.

"A couple of days before spring training, I went hog hunting," Gray said. "You shoot 'em and stick 'em with a knife. Then you bring 'em home, clean 'em up and put 'em on a spit.

"We'll put 'em on a spit all day long, and we'll eat 'em that night.

"I'd like to be a fishing or hunting guide. I think that would be fun."

For now, however, Gray would like to pursue his goal of becoming a major league pitcher. Drafted by the Twins in the 30th round of the 2003 draft, Gray attended Lamar University and became the school's fourth all-time leader in games started, with 41.

"Josh is the total pitcher," said Twins scout Marty Esposito, who signed Gray. "He's not going to have overpowering stuff. But he's going to be able to throw a good mix of pitches, and he has the ability to throw strikes.

"His margin for error is going to be small. There's a constant learning process that goes on in baseball. Josh has to realize the kind of command that he needs to pitch in the Florida State League."

Ingram said in addition to his pitching abilities, Gray brings a steady presence to the team.

"I tell you what, he's a standup guy inside that clubhouse," Ingram said. "He takes the lead.

"He goes to baseball chapel. He's a take-charge guy. He's a good guy to have on your team."