Ralph Taylor/pagetext

From SABR Encyclopedia

Ralph Taylor III

Ralph Taylor was a professional baseball player before working as a teacher, coach, and referee for a number of years. Born on Jan. 17, 1932, he attended Central High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track. Ralph played baseball at West Virginia State College for one year before transferring to Alabama State in 1952. There, Ralph was selected All-Conference as a second baseman each year he played ('52-'54).

A year later, he signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization and played for their Georgia State League team. In 1956, Ralph signed with the Cleveland Indians, playing in the Northern League and the Nebraska State League. After his playing career, he began a teaching career that lasted for 36 years and a coaching career that lasted 15 years. While at Blount High School, he was awarded the High School Coach of the Year Award for track in 1961, for baseball in 1962, and for basketball in 1968-70.

His prolific officiating career numbers 27 years in college football and basketball (NCAA IA-AA) Division II and NAIA and more than 40 years in all high school sports. Ralph has also served in many professional capacities, such as Vice President of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, host of the WALA-TV Sports Program, "Sportively Speaking" and President of the Mobile County Basketball Coaches Association. Lastly, he has worked as a baseball scout for the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. He is a member of the Mobile AL Sports Hall of Fame. ^[1]