Lenny Randle, best known for fracturing his manager’s cheekbone and attempting to blow a ball foul, has passed away. He was 75 years old.
Really sad to hear of the passing of Lenny Randle. Guy was such a great character and a solid player. He absolutely loved baseball and stayed active his entire life. Plus he starred in this fantastic Mariners jacket commercial. RIP Lenny Randle. pic.twitter.com/O2PYjeQVCr
— Rocco Constantino (@OfficialMLBRFC) December 30, 2024
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Lenny Randle Has Passed Away
Randle played in the major leagues from 1971-82 for the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Seattle Mariners. He primarily played second and third base, although he got a taste of every position except pitcher and first base. In 12 years, the switch-hitter hit .257/.321/.335, 27 HR, and 322 RBI while stealing 156 bases. Randle was also the first major leaguer to play baseball in Italy, a comedian, and a musician. He’ll be best remembered for two incidents, one unpleasant and the other humorous.
Bumped by Bump
In 1974, Randle’s first year as a regular, he hit .302/.338/.356 with 26 stolen bases for the Rangers. However, in 1976, he hit just .224/.286/.273, albeit with 30 steals, and came to spring training in 1977 expecting to be the regular at second base once again. Alas, he was told by manager Frank Lucchesi that the job would go to rookie Bump Wills, the Rangers’ No. 1 draft pick in the second phase of the 1975 January draft.
Despite measuring five feet 10 inches and weighing 169 pounds, Randle was a tough product of Compton, south of Los Angeles. He was unhappy about losing his job without even a competition and had demanded a trade. The matter reached a boiling point on March 28, when Randle and Lucchesi had a discussion behind the batting cage. The parties later disputed who said what. But what wasn’t the subject of dispute was that Randle attacked Lucchesi. Randle punched him once, knocking him down, hit him twice as he was going down, and hit him one more time as he lay on the ground. Lucchesi, then 51, suffered a fractured cheekbone, a concussion, and a laceration of the lip.
“I’m Tired of These Punks”
Lucchesi was at his own boiling point, too, as other players had also made trade demands. Lucchesi told United Press International, “I’m tired of these punks saying play me or trade me. Anyone who makes $80,000 a year and gripes and moans all spring is not going to get a tear out of me.”
Owner Brad Corbett ordered his baseball brain trust to send Randle away. On April 4, the Rangers announced that Randle would be suspended for 30 days and fined $10,000. While serving his suspension, he was traded to the Mets. He later made peace with Lucchesi – sort of. They shook hands before an Old-Timers Game in 1992 and spoke cordially to each other. But Lucchesi never forgave his assailant.
No Blowing in Baseball
Randle was involved in a more amusing controversy on May 27, 1981, while playing third base for the Mariners. In the top of the sixth inning, Amos Otis of the Kansas City Royals hit a slow roller along the third base line. It appeared the ball would stay fair on the Kingdome’s artificial turf. Randle dropped on his stomach and began blowing the ball away from fair territory. The ball went foul before it got as far as the bag and was immediately snatched by catcher Terry Bulling.
Home plate umpire Larry McCoy initially called the ball foul on the grounds that Randle didn’t touch it. After Royals manager Jim Frey protested, Otis was awarded first base, on the grounds that a fielder may not alter the ball’s course. Then, Mariners manager Rene Lachemann protested on the grounds that Randle was merely yelling at the ball. Meanwhile, Randle simply protested on the ground. The Mariners’ protests went nowhere.
Imagine how much fun slow rollers down the lines would be had the umpires ruled in favor of the Mariners.
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