 Ray was born in Elgin, Texas.He attended Stephen F. Austin High School (Austin, Texas) and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies when he was 17.His first year was an impressive one, as he compiled a 14–11 win–loss record for the Phillies and was eighth in the National League (NL) in strikeouts, although his control was somewhat shaky … leading the league in walks with 102.