Ranking the Catchers With a commanding presence behind the plate and a rocket arm, Johnny Bench was the best defensive catcher in history. But that wasn’t all. The powerful right-handed slugger won a pair of Most Valuable Player awards and led the Reds to six division titles, four pennants, and two championships. He hit…
On December 8, 2019 The Veterans Committee elects catcher Ted Simmons to the Hall of Fame. One of the best offensive catchers in MLB history, Simba was an 8X All-Star. In his 21-year career (1968-1988), Ted had 2472 hits, 248 HR, 1389 RBI, 855 BB (against only 694 strikeouts), .285 BA, .348 OBP, .437 Slg., &…
2017 – The Veterans Committee of the Hall of Fame, looking at players from the “Modern Era” fropm 1970 to 1987, elects long -time Detroit Tigers teammates Jack Morris and Alan Trammell. They receive 14 and 13 of 16 votes respectively and will be inducted into Cooperstown in 2018 along with anyone elected via the BBWAA ballot. Ted Simmons misses election by one vote.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest nine-inning game in major league history. Ted Simmons drove in five runs including a tie-breaking two-run single in the eighth to lead Milwaukee over Chicago in the longest nine-inning game in American League history victory. The slugfest in which both teams…
On October 3, 1982, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore Don Sutton defeats Jim Palmer and the Baltimore Orioles, 10-2 giving the Milwaukee Brewers the American League East title on the final day of the season. Sutton, went 4-1 since being acquired by the Brewers in late August coasts to the victory, pitching 8 innings…
1982 – “The Brew Crew” connect for three consecutive home runs, by Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper and Ben Oglivie in the 7th inning, as Milwaukee pounds Oakland, 11 – 3. Ted Simmons and Gorman Thomas also homer to back Bob McClure’s third victory. It is the second time in a week that Milwaukee sluggers have hit three consecutive homers.
October 9, 1981 – At Yankee Stadium, the Milwaukee Brewers‚ also facing elimination down 2-0‚ were tied 3-3 in the 8th inning and took the lead on a Paul Molitor’s solo home run off Tommy John was just beyond the incredible leaping attempt of Yankees leftfielder Dave Winfield, . Ted Simmons who had clubed…
St. Louis Cardinals send pitchers Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich, and catcher Ted Simmons to the Milwaukee Brewers
August 18, 1980 – In a game called after 6 1/2 innings because of rain‚ the Cardinals defeat the Reds‚ 10-1‚ behind Ken Forsch. Forsch helps in the 5th‚ getting all 3 outs on grounders back to him. Ted Simmons is 4-for-4 with 4 runs and a pair of homers‚ including one in the…
The Redbirds’ Ted Simmons suffers a broken bone in his left wrist during a 6 – 2 loss to the Mets. He will miss 28 games.