Ted Simmons
Ted Simmons was born in Highland Park, Michigan, United States on August 9th, 1949 and is the Baseball Player. At the age of 74, Ted Simmons biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
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Ted Lyle Simmons (born August 9, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and coach.
A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1968–80), the Milwaukee Brewers (1981–85) and the Atlanta Braves (1986–88).
Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary, Johnny Bench, Simmons is considered one of the best hitting catchers in MLB history.
While he didn't possess Bench's power hitting ability, he hit for a higher batting average.
A volatile competitor with an intense desire to win, Simmons once fought with teammate John Denny during a game at Busch Memorial Stadium, in the runway between the club house and the dugout.At the time of his retirement, Simmons led all catchers in career hits and doubles and ranked second in RBIs behind Yogi Berra and second in total bases behind Carlton Fisk.
He also retired with the National League record for home runs by a switch-hitter despite playing several years in the American League.
Simmons hit .300 seven different times, hit 20 home runs six times, and caught 122 shutouts, eighth-most all-time.
He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in December 2019.
Playing career
Simmons attended Southfield High School, a suburb northwest of Detroit, and graduated in 1967. Simmons was selected in the first round of the 1967 Major League Baseball draft by the St. Louis Cardinals for his tenth overall pick. He received a $50,000 signing bonus from St. Louis to avoid his commitment to the University of Michigan. He made his career debut in the Gulf Coast League, where he batted 7-for-20 (.350), before the Cardinals promoted him to the Class A Midwest League's Cedar Rapids Kernels. In 1968, he played for the Modesto Reds of the Class A California League, where he batted.331, with 28 home runs and 117 runs batted in (RBIs).
Simmons made his major league debut with the Cardinals at the age of 18, appearing in two games during the 1968 pennant-winning season. Simmons spent another year with the Tulsa Oilers before returning to the major leagues in 1970, where he platooned with Joe Torre. The Cardinals converted Torre into a third baseman and Simmons took over as the team's starting catcher in 1971, with seven home runs and 77 RBIs. The Cardinals finished second place behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Eastern Division, finishing 16th in balloting for the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player Award.
Simmons refused to sign a deal for the amount of compensation offered by the Cardinals in 1972, opting to play without a contract. He signed a deal well into the season, during which he was deemed one of the best catchers in the league by winning a spot as a reserve on the 1972 National League All-Star team. He ended the year with a.303 batting average and 96 RBIs, defeating Walker Cooper's team record for home runs by a catcher and setting the team record for home runs by a catcher, which was previously held jointly by Gene Oliver and Tim McCarver. His defense began to flourish, with a.991 fielding percentage and the top National League catchers in assists and putouts. Despite the Cardinals' season-long landslide, Simmons will finish in 10th place in the National League Most Valuable Player Award rankings. Simmons continued to perform offensively in 1973, with a.310 batting average, 13 home runs, and 91 RBIs. He led the league's catchers in putouts and finished second in assists, his second All-Star berth as the Cardinals enter second place in second place.
Simmons, who hit 18 home runs with 100 RBIs and a career-high.332 batting average, finishing second in the National League batting championship behind Bill Madlock in 1975. With 188, he tied for the most hits by a catcher in National League single-season. As the Cardinals ended the season in fourth place, he took 6th place in the National League Most Valuable Player Award balloting. Simmons was named as the starting catcher for the National League in 1978 all-Star Game, breaking Johnny Bench's nine-year streak as the starting catcher for the National League All-Star team. Simmons led the Cardinals in RBIs every year from 1972 to 1978. Simmons set the record for most home runs in a season by a Cardinals catcher in 1979. He had another good year in 1980, winning the inaugural Silver Slugger Award, which is given annually to the best offensive player at any position.
Simmons was throwing out less than a third of potential basestealers by the late 1970s. During the 1980 season, Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog wanted Simmons to first base and Keith Hernandez to left field for the first six innings, with the former often returning to his starting position at the end of games. Simmons' resentment and the ensuing feud with Herzog culminated in him being sold with Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich to the Milwaukee Brewers for Sixto Lezcano, Lary Sorensen, Dave LaPoint, and David Green at the 1980 Winter Meetings. In his first season in the American League, his batting average improved to.269 with 23 home runs and 97 RBIs, and led American League catchers with a.995 fielding percentage in 121 games. The Brewers won the American League Eastern Division title and then defeated the California Angels in the 1982 American League Championship Series. Simmons played with his old club, the St. Louis Cardinals, in the 1982 World Series, winning two home runs against the Brewers in a seven-game series. Simmons had a good year in 1983, when he hit for a.308 batting average with 13 home runs and 108 RBIs, earning his eighth and final All-Star berth. Simmons' batting average increased to.221 in 1984, but he returned to the Atlanta Braves in 1985 with a.273 average and 76 RBIs. He spent three seasons with the Braves as a utility player and pinch hitter before retiring as a player in 1988 at the age of 38. Simmons used a Rawlings brand catcher's mitt and Adirondack bats from an equipment standpoint.
Career statistics
Simmons played in 2,456 games for a.285 average, including 248 home runs, 1,389 runs batted in, and a.348 on-base percentage in his 21-year career in major leagues. He finished his career with a.986 fielding percentage. He batted over.300 seven times, hit 20 home runs six times, and eight runs batted in. In a game three times, he switch-hit home runs, setting a new National League career record for home runs by a switch-hitter (182). Simmons had career hits and 483 doubles, but was demolished by Iván Rodro. With 1,389 runs batted in and 10th with 248 home runs, he ranks second all-time among catchers. He had 122 shutouts in his career, his eighth all-time among major league catchers. Bill James' book The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract ranked Simmons 10th all-time among major league catchers.
Baseball executive and coaching career
Simmons was hired as the Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager in 1992. He was in that position for just a year after suffering a heart attack in June 1993. He was also Director of Player Development for the Cardinals and San Diego Padres, as well as a scout for the Cleveland Indians. Starting with the 2008 season, he was named bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was reassigned to another position within the company on September 15, 2008.
Under Padres boss Bud Black, Simmons was named bench coach for the Padres in November 2008, replacing Craig Colbert. He was hired by the Seattle Mariners' general manager Jack Zduriencik on November 5, 2010. Simmons was recalled as a Scout for the Braves in October 2015.