Ken Singleton
Kenneth Wayne Singleton (born June 10, 1947) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1970 to 1984, primarily as a right fielder for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, and Baltimore Orioles, and later became a longtime television broadcaster for the Montreal Expos and New York Yankees.[1][2] Singleton was drafted third overall by the Mets in the 1967 MLB Draft out of Mount Vernon High School in New York, making his MLB debut with the team on June 24, 1970.[2][3] After brief stints with the Mets (1970–1971) and Expos (1972–1974), he was traded to the Orioles in December 1974 in a deal that sent Mike Torrez to Montreal, where he established himself as a consistent power hitter and on-base threat over the next decade.[3] A switch-hitter standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, Singleton finished his playing career with a .282 batting average, 246 home runs, and 1,065 runs batted in across 7,189 at-bats, while posting an .824 on-base plus slugging percentage.[1][2] Among his notable achievements, Singleton was selected to three American League All-Star Games in 1977, 1979, and 1981, and he finished as runner-up for the AL Most Valuable Player Award in 1979 after hitting 35 home runs—tying a record for switch-hitters at the time—and third in 1977.[1][3] He led the National League in on-base percentage in 1973 (.425) and the American League in times on base in 1975 (295), and ranked in the top three in AL adjusted OPS+ from 1977 to 1979.[3] Singleton contributed to the Orioles' 1983 World Series championship, batting .242 in the postseason, and received the Roberto Clemente Award in 1982 for his sportsmanship and community involvement.[1][3] Following his retirement as a player after the 1984 season, Singleton transitioned to broadcasting, serving as a color commentator for the Expos from 1985 to 1996 before joining the Yankees' YES Network in 1997, where he worked for over two decades until announcing his retirement at the end of the 2021 season.[3] Over his 50-plus years in professional baseball, Singleton has been recognized for his articulate analysis and calm demeanor in the booth, and he is the cousin of former NBA coach and executive Doc Rivers.[3]Early Life and Education
Childhood and Family
Kenneth Wayne Singleton was born on June 10, 1947, in Manhattan, New York City, to parents Joe Singleton, a postal worker at the General Post Office Building, and Lucille (Hathaway) Singleton, an insurance underwriter.[4][5] The family initially lived in East Harlem before briefly moving to Stamford, Connecticut, and then settling in Mount Vernon, New York, a suburb just north of the Bronx, where they resided in a home previously owned by the family of former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca.[4][6] Growing up in this working-class environment, Singleton gained a younger brother, Fred—born shortly before Ken turned five—who later became a standout hurdler and co-captain of Penn State's 1974 IC4A championship team.[4] Singleton's early fascination with baseball stemmed from his father's deep enthusiasm for the sport; Joe Singleton kept games on television constantly, particularly during the era of Jackie Robinson's integration of Major League Baseball in 1947.[4] At age four, Singleton attended his first professional game at Ebbets Field, watching the Brooklyn Dodgers, which ignited his lifelong passion.[4] He honed his skills playing stickball in the streets of Mount Vernon and organized baseball at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx, directly across from Yankee Stadium.[4] As a child, Singleton started as a left-handed hitter around age five but adapted to right-handed batting after noticing his peers' styles, laying the groundwork for his eventual development as a switch-hitter in youth leagues.[4] His parents, both employed full-time, instilled a strong value on balancing education with athletics, supporting his pursuits in baseball and basketball while prioritizing the former—Joe Singleton even steered his son away from football despite coaching overtures, citing safety concerns.[4][7] This familial foundation emphasized discipline and opportunity in a modest household where professional games remained a distant aspiration until Singleton's talent emerged.[4]Schooling and Athletic Beginnings
Ken Singleton graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1965, where he excelled in both baseball and basketball.[4] In baseball, he developed into a serious switch-hitter while competing in the Federation League, notably going 4-for-5 with a home run and two doubles in a key game that highlighted his emerging talent.[4] Although he considered football, Singleton focused on baseball and basketball, earning a basketball scholarship to Hofstra University based on his high school performances.[4][8] At Hofstra University from 1965 to 1967, Singleton initially prioritized basketball, averaging 18 points per game as a freshman on the scholarship team.[4] However, he also participated in college baseball for the Pride, batting .327 over his tenure and refining his switch-hitting skills further.[4] That summer, his standout .425 batting average in the Federation League convinced him to shift his primary focus toward baseball, forgoing additional basketball commitments.[4] These performances at Hofstra showcased his versatility and potential as a professional prospect.[4] In the 1967 MLB January Amateur Draft, Singleton was selected third overall in the first round by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent, prompting him to leave college early and sign a professional contract for a $7,500 bonus.[4][2] Following the signing, witnessed by his father and Mets scout Bubber Jonnard, he entered the Mets' farm system for initial development.[4] Singleton's early minor league assignments began in 1967 with the Winter Haven Mets of the Florida State League (Class A), where he played 102 games, batted .277, and led the league with 87 walks and a .451 on-base percentage; he also participated in the Mets' Instructional League in Florida later that year, where coaches emphasized his switch-hitting mechanics and overall plate discipline.[4][9] In 1968, he advanced through Raleigh-Durham of the Carolina League (Class A), Visalia of the California League (Class A), and the Jacksonville Suns of the International League (Class AAA), hitting .284 overall while focusing on building power from both sides of the plate and adapting to professional pitching as a top prospect.[9] This period marked his transition from collegiate athlete to professional hopeful, honing the skills that would define his career.[4]MLB Playing Career
New York Mets and Montreal Expos
Ken Singleton made his major league debut with the New York Mets on June 24, 1970, at age 23, starting in left field against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.[10] He went hitless in four at-bats that day but recorded his first career hit—an RBI single—and his first home run on June 26, 1970, in Montreal against the Expos.[10] In 69 games that season, primarily as a late-season call-up, Singleton batted .263 with five home runs and 26 RBIs, displaying early signs of power despite a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the final two months.[1] Singleton's playing time increased in 1971 to 115 games, where he shared outfield duties amid a crowded Mets roster featuring Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee, and John Milner.[10] Batting .245 with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs, he showed further development as a switch-hitter but remained without a fixed everyday role.[1] On April 5, 1972, the Mets traded Singleton, shortstop Tim Foli, and first baseman Mike Jorgensen to the Montreal Expos in exchange for outfielder Rusty Staub, providing Singleton his first opportunity for regular playing time.[11] In Montreal, Singleton shifted primarily to right field and solidified his status as a promising outfielder with improved plate discipline, drawing more walks as he adjusted to full-time duty.[10] He appeared in 142 games during the 1972 season, batting .274 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs after overcoming an early slump attributed to an allergy to his wool uniform, which resolved upon switching to a custom double-knit jersey in July.[1] Singleton's breakout came in 1973, when he played every game for the Expos, batting .302 with 23 home runs, 103 RBIs—the first 100-RBI season by an Expos player—and a league-leading .425 on-base percentage fueled by 123 walks, earning ninth place in National League MVP voting and All-Star consideration.[1] In 1974, he logged 148 games, batting .276 with 9 home runs and 74 RBIs despite a midseason wrist injury that hampered his second-half production.[1] Over three seasons with the Expos (452 games total), Singleton contributed 227 RBIs and helped the franchise post its best records to that point, including 79-83 in 1973.[1] The Expos traded Singleton and pitcher Mike Torrez to the Baltimore Orioles on December 4, 1974, in exchange for Dave McNally, Rich Coggins, and Bill Kirkpatrick, concluding his National League career after 636 total games.[11]Baltimore Orioles
Singleton joined the Baltimore Orioles via trade from the Montreal Expos on December 4, 1974, along with pitcher Mike Torrez, in exchange for Dave McNally, Rich Coggins, and Bill Kirkpatrick.[1] As a key addition to the outfield, he immediately made an impact in his 1975 debut season, batting .300 while providing strong defense in right field with a .990 fielding percentage and strong arm that limited opponents' advances.[1][4] Singleton's peak years with the Orioles showcased his switch-hitting prowess and consistency. In 1977, he batted .328—third in the American League behind Rod Carew's .388—while contending for the batting title and earning All-Star honors with 24 home runs.[1] His 1979 season marked a career high, slashing .295/.399/.533 with 35 home runs and 111 RBI, finishing second in AL MVP voting.[1] He followed with a strong performance in 1980 as a designated hitter (.304 average, 24 home runs, 104 RBI) and in 1981 (.278 average, 13 home runs), maintaining 20+ home runs and over .300 batting average in several prime seasons from 1977 to 1980.[4][1] Singleton played a vital role in the Orioles' 1983 World Series championship, contributing to their 3-1 ALCS victory over the Chicago White Sox in four games with a .250 average, including two doubles in 12 at-bats.[12] In the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, limited by the lack of a DH spot, he appeared in two games with one at-bat but drew a crucial bases-loaded walk in Game 4 to tie the score, helping pave the way for Baltimore's 4-1 series victory.[4] Over his full decade with the Orioles from 1975 to 1984, Singleton amassed 1,455 hits in 1,446 games, batting .284 overall while serving as a captain-like leader in the clubhouse, earning praise from manager Earl Weaver for his consistency and professionalism akin to Orioles legends Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson.[1][4] Singleton retired at age 37 following the 1984 season, during which he hit .215 amid a late-career 35-game on-base streak (reaching base via hit or walk) that highlighted his plate discipline despite declining production.[4] His decision was influenced by nagging injuries, including knee surgery in 1982 and a right instep issue in 1984, as well as a desire to prioritize family time over pursuing opportunities with other teams.[4][13]Career Statistics and Honors
Statistical Achievements
Ken Singleton's MLB career, spanning 15 seasons from 1970 to 1984, featured consistent offensive production across 2,082 games played. He recorded 2,029 hits in 7,189 at-bats for a .282 batting average, along with 985 runs scored, 246 home runs, and 1,065 runs batted in. His plate discipline was evident in 1,263 walks drawn, contributing to a .388 on-base percentage, while his .436 slugging percentage yielded an .824 OPS and a 132 OPS+, signifying 32% above league-average offensive output adjusted for ballparks and era.[1] As one of the premier switch-hitters of his generation, Singleton distributed his power evenly, amassing 246 home runs—a total that ranked third among switch-hitters at the time of his retirement, behind only Mickey Mantle and one other. With the Baltimore Orioles from 1975 to 1984, he excelled in 1,446 games, batting .284 with 1,455 hits, 182 home runs, and 766 RBI, establishing himself as a cornerstone of their lineup.[4][14] Singleton's defensive contributions came primarily in the outfield, where he appeared in 1,311 games with a .982 fielding percentage and 92 assists, showcasing reliable play in right field during his prime years. Advanced metrics further underscore his value: Baseball-Reference credits him with 41.8 WAR, encompassing 35.1 from batting, 4.4 from baserunning, and 2.3 from fielding. He also reached base 3,309 times in his career, a figure that placed him 148th all-time upon retirement. One notable highlight was his MLB-record 10 consecutive at-bats with a hit in April 1981, achieved over three games against the Chicago White Sox.[1][15][16][17] The following table summarizes Singleton's career batting statistics:| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 2,082 |
| At Bats | 7,189 |
| Hits | 2,029 |
| Batting Average | .282 |
| Home Runs | 246 |
| Runs Batted In | 1,065 |
| On-Base Percentage | .388 |
| Slugging Percentage | .436 |
| OPS | .824 |
| OPS+ | 132 |
| Wins Above Replacement | 41.8 |