Ken Clay, two-time Yankees’ World Series champ, dead at 71

Ken Clay, a former Major League Baseball player who secured World Series championships with the New York Yankees in 1977-78, passed away at the age of 71. Dr. Jim Warner, the executive medical director for the Centra Heart & Vascular Institute in Lynchburg, Virginia, informed the Yankees that Clay died at his home in Lynchburg due to heart and kidney issues.

Clay, primarily a reliever during his five-year major league career, made his debut in June 1977 and played a significant role in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite giving up a three-run homer to Davey Lopes in Game 1 of the 1978 World Series, Clay’s postseason performance was commendable. He particularly shone in the 1978 American League Championship Series opener against the Kansas City Royals, pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings and earning a save in a 7-1 victory for the Yankees.

In 1979, Clay’s performance declined, leading to a 1-7 record and a subsequent demotion to the minors. He was eventually traded to the Texas Rangers in 1980 and later to the Seattle Mariners. Clay’s major league career consisted of 111 appearances, including 36 starts, with a record of 10-24, three saves, and a 4.68 ERA.

Apart from his baseball career, Clay faced legal troubles post-retirement. In 1987, he pleaded guilty to embezzling over $16,000 from his employer. Subsequently, in 1992, he was sentenced to jail for stealing $550 from a car dealership. In 2001, Clay admitted to forgery and fraud charges in Florida, agreeing to repay creditors over $40,000.

Despite his achievements on the field, Clay’s post-baseball life was marred by legal issues. His legacy as a player will be remembered by Yankees fans and baseball enthusiasts alike. May he rest in peace.