Randall Simon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Randall Simon

Philadelphia Phillies — No. 12
Infielder
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
September 1, 1997 for the Atlanta Braves
Former teams
Atlanta Braves (1997–1999) Detroit Tigers (2001–2002) Pittsburgh Pirates (2003, 2004) Chicago Cubs (2003) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004) Philadelphia Phillies (2006-present)

Randall Carlito Simon (born May 25, 1975 in Willemstad, Curaçao) is a first baseman who currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. Simon's debut season came with the Atlanta Braves in 1997, for whom he played until 1999. While with the Braves, Randall was the subject of teammate John Rocker's infamous "fat monkey" comment in a January 2000 interview with Sports Illustrated. He also played for the Detroit Tigers (2001, 2002), the Pittsburgh Pirates (2003 and 2004), the Chicago Cubs (2003), the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004, and the Orix Buffaloes (2005).

One of the most memorable events of the 2003 season occurred at Miller Park on July 9th. During the Brewers' "Sausage Race," in which four contestants wearing sausage costumes have a footrace on the field, Simon leaned over the dugout railing and tapped college student Mandy Block (in the Italian sausage costume) with a bat, causing her to fall. Block suffered only a scraped knee. This was probably a joking gesture by Simon; however, Simon was arrested, charged, and fined for disorderly conduct. He was also suspended by Major League Baseball, and issued an apology to Block.

Despite the controversy that surrounded the sausage incident, Randall Simon continued to be a likeable figure in Major League Baseball. He could be seen signing autographs before most games. He was always happy to chat with fans, and was well liked both in a personal and professional environment.

Before signing with the Pirates, Simon signed with the Florida Marlins and New York Yankees in the 2000 season, but did not play in the majors for either franchise. In 2003, Simon was traded by Pittsburgh to the Chicago Cubs, where he had a productive postseason, helping the Cubs to the 2003 National League Championship Series. After the season, Simon was released by Chicago.

On February 19, 2004, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Randall Simon as a free agent to secure the team at first base for the upcoming season. When Pittsburgh Pirates spring training started in March of 2004, Simon reported to camp out of shape. After several horrible and frustrating months into his second tenure with the Pirates, he was once again released on August 18, 2004. After he was released, Simon said, "I'm a fighter," Simon said. "I promise you're going to see me again. You don't have to worry about that." Staying true to his word, he signed with the Philidelphia Phillies in 2006 after posting incredible numbers in the minor leagues.

One day after his release from the Pirates, he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but still struggled at the major league level, even with a change of scenery. After less than a month with Tampa Bay, he was released once again, and signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League.

Simon spent 2005 and part of 2006 with Potros de Tijuana of the Mexican League before moving up to the Arizona League AZL Rangers and the Oklahoma RedHawks of the Pacific Coast League. Simon hit .363 for Tijuana in 2005 and .348 in 2006 before joining the RedHawks, boosting his stock. On September 1, 2006, the Phillies acquired Randall Simon in a trade with the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations, calling him up to the majors when rosters expanded the same day.

[edit] External links

• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis