Letter to the editor: Clovis has lost remarkable Pioneer

We recently lost a Clovis Pioneer baseball player, Ray Bauer, who died at age 93.

He came to Clovis to play for the Pioneers, a member of the West Texas/New Mexico League. Ray played for pro teams affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.

I played with Ray from 1947 to 1949. I was drafted by the New York Giants and was to report to their farm club in Oswego, N.Y., on March 15, 1941. I was drafted by the U.S. Air Corps on Feb. 26, 1941, and could not continue my baseball career. Ray Bauer was drafted by the U.S. Army, which interrupted his baseball career.

Ray was a great ballplayer, batted well over .300 and was a top defensive right fielder. I finally met him in 1947 and became Clovis’ catcher through 1948 and part of 1949.

I am now 94 and among the last of the living Pioneers.

I thought this article might bring memories for those of my generation. Clovis does a great job for baseball and for our youth by providing Little League, Babe Ruth League, etc., baseball every year. The high school also provides baseball, taking our place at Bell Park every year.