Floyd Rayford

Floyd Kinnard Rayford (born July 27, 1957) is an American retired professional baseball player who played seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He primarily played third base and catcher during his career. He was known as "Sugar Bear" and a fan favorite for his roly-poly physique.

Early career Rayford's professional baseball career began in 1975, when he was drafted as a catcher out of Manual Arts High School in the fourth round of the amateur draft by the California Angels. He spent the 1975 through 1979 seasons in the Angels' minor league system, spending the 1979 season at the Triple-A level playing for the Salt Lake City Gulls. In his first Triple-A season, he batted .294 with 13 home runs while playing third base.

Baltimore Orioles (first stint) After playing one season for the Gulls, Rayford was traded, along with an undisclosed amount of money, from the Angels organization to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Larry Harlow. In 1980, Rayford made his major league debut for the Orioles; over the course of the season he played in 8 games for the Orioles In 1982, he returned to the Major League with the Orioles, but he hit only .132 in 34 games.

When Cal Ripken Jr. began his streak of 2,632 consecutive games played in 1982, Rayford was the player who Ripken replaced in the lineup. Rayford had been given a day off in the second game of a doubleheader and Ripken started at third base in his place.

He again returned to Rochester in 1983, and hit .371 in 42 games with the Red Wings. He was the backup third baseman behind Ken Oberkfell that year and hit .212 in 56 games for the Cardinals. but his numbers fell when he batted .176 and was sent back to Rochester. He has been a member of the Rock Cats' coaching staff since 2005.