Ken Singleton
The Orioles stoled Ken Singleton from the Expos in a trade after the 1974 season, and manager Earl Weaver was smiling about that highway robbery for years. The switch-hitter was originally used as a leadoff batter because of his great batting eye, but later he moved to the middle of the lineup, providing power and a high average. With a smooth swing, great class, and a quiet demeanor, Singleton became a Baltimore favorite. He helped the O's to two World Series before retiring due to nagging back injuries.
Quotes About Singleton
"If you talk about consistency, coming to the ballpark day in and day out and getting the job done, then you have to rank Ken right up there with the best of them. As a consistent hitter, I'd have to put him in the class with Brooks [Robinson] and Frank [Robinson] as the best I've ever had play for me." — manager Earl Weaver
"When we got Kenny, we knew he was a good hitter, but I wasn't sure where we'd put him in the lineup. As it turned out, we needed a leadoff hitter, so we used him there and he was excellent. Now, we need him in the middle of the batting order, and we've had to look to him to give us a little more power - and he's done that, too. He's very patient at the plate, a very disciplined hitter, and it looks like he just keeps getting better." — manager Earl Weaver
Played For
New York Mets (1970-1971)
Montreal Expos (1972-1974)
Baltimore Orioles (1975-1984)
All-Time Rankings
Ken Singleton ranks #35 among the Top 50 all-time at RF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1979
You could also argue for his 1977 season. In '79, Singleton slugged 35 homers and drove in 111 runs, while batting .295 with 109 walks.
Scouting Report
"Batting lefthanded, he likes high fastballs, and batting righthanded, he wants low pitches, preferably breaking balls… is a patient, selective hitter who can go the other way batting either way." — from the 1984 Scouting Report
Where He Played
Right field and DH (pretty much exclusively the last three years of his career)
Born
Kenneth Wayne Singleton was born on June 10, 1947, in New York, NY.
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: BAL
College: Hofstra
Major League Debut
June 24, 1970
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1970
Dave Concepcion
Jose Cruz
Don Baylor
Larry Bowa
Ken Singleton
Bobby Grich
Cesar Cedeno
Bert Blyleven
Charlie Hough
Related Players
Eddie Murray
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1990 |
BBWAA |
0 |
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1979 American League Championship Series
1979 World Series
1983 American League Championship Series
1983 World Series
Post-Season Notes
Though he batted .300 in the post-season, Singleton never hit a home run.
Notes
Was named winner of the Roberto Clemente Award in 1982... After his career he became a broadcaster, and as of 2006, was still working in that role for the Yankees.
Transactions
January 28, 1967: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1967 amateur draft.
April 5, 1972: Traded by the New York Mets with Tim Foli and Mike Jorgensen to the Montreal Expos for Rusty Staub.
December 4, 1974: Traded by the Montreal Expos with Mike Torrez to the Baltimore Orioles for Dave McNally, Rich Coggins, and Bill Kirkpatrick (minors).
November 8, 1984: Granted Free Agency.
All-Star Selections
1977 AL
1979 AL
1981 AL
Best Strength as a Player
Patience at the plate
Largest Weakness as a Player
Speed
Learn More about Ken Singleton
Search Amazon.com for Books about Ken Singleton ⇒
Search for Ken Singleton at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
