February 12
Senators Birthdays
Leonard Shenoff Randle B Feb. 12, 1949 Still Living
Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the amateur draft of 1967, Len Randle would not sign with the Cardinals. In June 1970 the Washington Senators would select Randle in the amateur draft. This time he would sign and join the Senators in mid-June of 1971.
Appearing in 75 games for Washington, playing 2nd base, Randle would hit .219.
Moving with the franchise to the Lone Star State to begin play as the Texas Rangers in 1972, Randle would have his breakout year in 1974. Playing in 151 games, Randle would hit .302 with 49 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Randle would remain with the Rangers through spring training of 1977 when, in a well-remembered incident, he had a physical altercation with Texas manager Frank Lucchesi. That incident marked the end of Randle’s days in Texas and he was traded in late April to the New York Mets for a player to be named later and cash. The Mets would eventually send Rick Auerbach to Texas to complete the trade.
With the Mets in 1977 Randle would hit .304 in 136 games, however his average would drop to .233 the next season and he’d be released by the Mets at the end of spring training in 1979.
Signed by the San Francisco Giants in mid-May, Randle would not play for the Giants but would be traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in late June. Randle would not play in a Pirates uniform either but would eventually be sold to the New York Yankees in early August, where he’d appear in 20 games hitting just .179.
Granted free agency, Randle would be signed by the Seattle Mariners in late March of 1980 but would be sold to the Chicago Cubs just 12 days later. Playing in 130 games for the Cubs, Randle would manage to raise his batting average to .276.
After the 1980 season, Randle would be ganted free agency again, signing for a second time with the Seattle Mariners. Randle was involved in an infamous play in May of 1981, when he attempted to blow a ball foul as it rolled along the foul line. The play was allowed to stand as it was ruled that Randle never physically touched the ball but did result in a rule change at the end of the season.
Randle would play in 82 games for the Mariners in 1981 and would start the 1982 season in Seattle but would be released in June after playing in 30 games, 11 years and 4 days after debuting with the Washington Senators.
Originally a 2nd baseman, Randle would play the majority of his career at 3rd and also spend a number of games playing outfield.
