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.
He strung together four steady seasons for the Red Sox from 1968–1971, winning between 14 and 17 games in each. None of his teams during Culp's career appeared in a postseason game.
In 11 seasons he had a 122–101 win–loss record, 322 games, 268 games started, 80 complete games, 22 shutouts, 21 games finished, 1 save, 1,8981⁄3 innings pitched, 1,677 hits allowed, 863 runs allowed, 755 earned runs allowed, 188 home runs allowed, 752 walks allowed, 1,411 strikeouts, 70 hit batsmen, 73 wild pitches, 8,066 batters faced, 58 intentional walks, 3 balks, and a 3.58 ERA.
Accomplishments and statistics
Selected by The Sporting News as National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year, 1963[1]
Named to the 1963 National League All-Star Team and the 1969 American League All-Star Team
Led the National League in hit batsmen (12, 1965) the American League (11, 1970)
Led the National League in walks allowed (102) (1963)
Ranks 99th on the MLB career hits allowed per nine innings pitched list (7.95)
Ranks 95th on the MLB career strikeouts per nine innings pitched list (6.69)
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