Kelly Eugene Ratliff was signed by the Colt .45s in 1964 and made it to the majors at age 19 with the Astros. It was a bittersweet big league career. He had four at bats as a pinch-hitter during that debut season in the Astrodome but Ratliff struck out all four times.

Ratliff was dealt to Atlanta in 1966 but never returned to the majors after his brief debut.