Raymond “Ray” Hayes Crone, a former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime scout, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at his home in Waxahachie, Texas surrounded by his family. He was 94 years old.

He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 7, 1931 to Neely Gordon Crone and Annie Gunti Crone. Crone achieved the rare honor of playing Major League Baseball. He signed with the Boston Braves in 1949 straight out of Christian Brothers High School. A talented right-handed pitcher, he made his mark in the minor leagues, most notably as the ace of the 1953 Jacksonville Braves. That season he won 19 games and helped lead the team to a league championship alongside a young teammate named Hank Aaron.

Crone made his Major League debut for the Milwaukee Braves on April 13, 1954, the same day Hank Aaron played his first big league game. He pitched for the Braves from 1954 to 1957 before being involved in a mid-season trade. He was dealt to the New York Giants as part of a package for eventual Hall of Fame second baseman Red Schoendienst. He continued his career with the Giants through their move to San Francisco marking MLB’s first expansion to the West Coast. With the Giants he had the distinction of playing with another great outfielder, Willie Mays. He made his final MLB appearance on July 14, 1958.

Over his five-season major league career, Crone compiled a 30-30 win-loss record with a 3.87 ERA and 260 strikeouts in 137 games, including 61 starts.

Following his playing days, Crone dedicated his life to the game he loved embarking on a long and successful career as a professional scout. He shared his keen eye for talent with several organizations including the Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. He received several scouting awards including the Texas Scouts Association Hall of Fame in 2000, MLB Scout of the Year, Midwest Region in 2006, and the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation George Genovese Lifetime Achievement Award in Scouting in 2014.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Carroll Crone of 45 years who he met while playing in Hartford, CT. He is also preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Father Raymond Crone, O.F.M, his only sister, Sister Annette Crone, O.S.F., and his brothers John Basil Crone and Donald W. Crone.

He is survived by his five children: Carroll Anne Egan (John), Mary Ellen Crone, Kelly Prokof (Tim), Raymond Crone, Jr. (Kristie) and his foster son Robin Sartori. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Courtney McDonald (Kevin), Whitney Coon (Tommy), Lindsey Fukumoto (Marcos), McGuinn Meriwether (Will), Katy Graves (Phillip), Ryan Prokof (Melissa) and Hank and Anna Crone; and two step grandchildren: Colin Egan (Sara) and Trevor Egan (Tasha). He leaves behind eleven great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother James G. Crone of Memphis, TN.

Ray leaves behind a lasting legacy in professional baseball remembered as a competitive pitcher, a dedicated scout and a beloved figure in the baseball community.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wayne Boze Funeral Home, 1826 W. Hwy 287 Business, Waxahachie, Texas 75165.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 600 E. Marvin Avenue, Waxahachie, Texas 75165.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Baseball Assistance Team’s (B.A.T.) Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation (PBSF) Grant in memory of Ray Crone.