Lenny Randle was a baseball player for the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and other teams, whose unusual career led him to be called the most interesting man in baseball.
- Died: December 29, 2024 (Who else died on December 29?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Murrieta, California at the age of 75.
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Lenny Randle’s legacy
Randle became known as one of the many colorful characters of baseball in the 1970s, thanks to both his own actions and some unusual events in which he was involved. One of the most unforgettable antics of his career came when he played with the Rangers. In a 1974 game against the Cleveland Indians, Randle became frustrated when pitcher Milt Wilcox nearly hit him with the ball. He responded by bunting the next pitch to the perfect place for Wilcox to field it. As Randle ran for first, he ran off course and deliberately crashed into Wilcox. Some of Wilcox’ teammates retaliated, knocking Randle down, and a brawl ensued.
Three years later, Randle displayed a tendency toward a temper that effectively ended his years with the Rangers. Frustrated by having lost the starting second base position to rookie Bump Willis, Randle confronted the team manager, Frank Lucchesi. As they argued, Randle punched Lucchesi in the face three times, breaking his cheekbone. He was suspended for a month, fined $10,000, and traded to the Mets before the suspension was up. Lucchesi also sued Randle, and Randle was charged with assault.
Another memorable moment for Randle came when he was with the Mets. He was at bat when the power went out at Shea Stadium during the infamous New York City blackout in July 1977 that plunged the city into darkness and crime. Randle kept playing, later remembering the following plays as “like an Abbott and Costello act.”
A fan-favorite incident happened while Randle was with the Seattle Mariners in 1981. While playing third base, Randle watched a ground ball roll toward the foul line, too slowly to cross it. He dropped to his hands and knees, apparently blowing the ball toward the foul line. (Randle later said he was simply talking to the ball, willing it to cross the line, but photos and video of the incident make it look an awful lot like he was blowing.)
In addition to his years with the Rangers, Mets, and Mariners, Randle also played for the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. In 1983, he left the major leagues to play for Italy’s Serie A-1 league, the first U.S. major leaguer to play in the country. He also conducted baseball clinics. Rolling Stone called Randle the sport’s version of the world’s “most interesting man” in 2015, the same year a documentary titled “Lenny Randle: The Most Interesting Man in Baseball” premiered on MLB Network. Fueling those descriptors was his knowledge of five languages, his recording career with his band, Ballplayers, and his work in stand-up comedy.
Randle on batting during the blackout
“I was at bat when the lights went out. It was a mind-blowing, God, Moses, last day on earth moment. I swung and lights went out! I didn’t know what to do, so I just keep on running for second.” — from a 2017 interview for Blogging Mets
Tributes to Lenny Randle
Full obituary: The New York Times
