Bowie Baysox fans should know that Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Chris Ray will pitch for the Baysox Friday evening.

The Baysox will take on the Reading Phillies at 7:05 p.m.

This season has been tough for Ray. The one-time bullpen phenom for the Orioles is returning this year from Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow and in 23 games has an 0-1 record with a 9.28 ERA in 21.1 innings. His most recent stint on the DL was to rehab right biceps tendonitis.

These are the best times to be living in a town with a minor league baseball team that is just a few miles from The Big Club in Baltimore. Cesar Izturis had a major-league rehab stint in Bowie just a few weeks ago. Baysox fans were treated to appearances by Washington Nationals pitcher Matt Chico and first baseman Dmitri Young recently while the pair rehabbed on the Harrisburg Senators' roster.

Ray may or may not ever return to his top form that he experienced with Baltimore. In 2005, the same year he began the season with a 1-2 record with 18 saves and a 0.96 ERA in 31 games for Bowie, Ray was called up to the Orioles bullpen and went 1-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 41 games. The following season Ray became the full-time closer and went 4-4 with a 2.73 ERA with 33 saves and 51 strikeouts in 66 innings.

Regardless of what the future may hold for Chris Ray, it is rare to see major league talent in Bowie. Take advantage of the opportunity. Ray is only 27 years old. There still may be good things ahead for him; take your kids and you'll have a story to tell 30 years down the road.

Visit www.baysox.com for information.