Ken Singleton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ken Singleton |
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Ken Singleton in 2012
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| Right fielder / Designated hitter | |||
| Born: June 10, 1947 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 24, 1970, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 25, 1984, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .282 | ||
| Hits | 2,029 | ||
| Home runs | 246 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,065 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Kenneth Wayne Singleton (born June 10, 1947) is a former American professional baseball player. He also worked as a television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1970 to 1984.
Singleton was an outfielder and designated hitter. He is best known for playing with the Baltimore Orioles. With the Orioles, he was a three-time All-Star player. He also helped the team win the 1983 World Series. Before the Orioles, he played for the New York Mets and the Montreal Expos.
In 1982, Singleton received the Roberto Clemente Award. This award honors players who show great sportsmanship and community involvement. In 1986, he was added to the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame. After his playing career, he became a popular baseball announcer. He worked for the New York Yankees from 1997 to 2021.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Ken Singleton was born in Manhattan, a part of New York City. He grew up in Mount Vernon, nearby. As a kid, he played baseball in the Bronx Federation League. This league was right across the street from the old Yankee Stadium.
Singleton went to Mount Vernon High School. There, he played both baseball and basketball. After finishing high school in 1965, he went to Hofstra University. He received a scholarship to play basketball there.
A Professional Baseball Journey
The New York Mets picked Ken Singleton in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft. He was the third player chosen overall. He signed with the Mets for $10,000. Singleton played his first major league game with the Mets on June 24, 1970. He was 23 years old.
In 1972, the Mets traded Singleton to the Montreal Expos. He played three seasons with the Expos. His best year was 1973. That season, he hit 23 home runs and had 103 runs batted in (RBIs). He also had a .302 batting average.
On December 4, 1974, the Baltimore Orioles got Singleton in a trade. He spent ten years playing for the Orioles. These were the best years of his career. The Orioles won two league championships with him, in 1979 and 1983. They also won the 1983 World Series. In 1977, he had his highest batting average at .328.
Singleton was a very strong hitter. His manager, Earl Weaver, said he could "start a rally by getting on base or end one by driving in the winning run." He played his last major league game on September 25, 1984. He was 37 years old when he retired from playing.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Ken Singleton played in 2,082 games during his 15-year career. He had 2,029 hits and a career batting average of .282. He also hit 246 home runs and had 1,065 runs batted in.
He was chosen as an All-Star three times: in 1977, 1979, and 1981. In 1982, he won the Roberto Clemente Award. This award is given to players who are great on the field and also help their communities. In 1979, he finished second in the voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
A Career in Broadcasting
After he stopped playing baseball, Singleton started a new career as a sportscaster. He first worked for a TV station in Baltimore in the mid-1980s. Then, he announced games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1985 and 1986. From 1987 to 1996, he was a commentator for the Montreal Expos.
From 1997 to 2021, Singleton was a popular announcer for the New York Yankees. He worked on the YES Network and PIX 11. He often worked with play-by-play announcer Michael Kay.
He became known for his special phrases during games. When a player hit a home run, he would say, "This one is gone!" If a foul ball was hit hard into the stands, he would warn, "Look out!" He also called a pitch right down the middle of the plate a "cookie."
Singleton announced his retirement from broadcasting several times. He finally retired after the 2021 baseball season. His last broadcast was on October 2, 2021.
Personal Life
Ken Singleton has some famous family members. He is a cousin of Glenn "Doc" Rivers, a former NBA player and coach. His son, Justin Singleton, also played minor league baseball.
Singleton grew up in a house in Mount Vernon, New York. This house was once owned by the family of former Brooklyn Dodger Ralph Branca. Today, Singleton still lives in the Baltimore area.
He is also on the Board of Directors for the Cool Kids Campaign. This group helps children who have cancer. Singleton helps by hosting a golf tournament every June to raise money.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
