28 Facts About Ted Simmons

Ted Lyle Simmons was born on August 9,1949 and is an American former professional baseball player and coach.

At the time of his retirement, Ted Simmons led all catchers in career hits and doubles and ranked second in RBIs behind Yogi Berra and second in total bases behind Carlton Fisk.

Ted Simmons retired with the National League record for home runs by a switch-hitter despite playing several years in the American League.

Ted Simmons was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in December 2019, and was formally enshrined in 2021.

Ted Simmons received a $50,000 signing bonus from St Louis to bypass his commitment to the University of Michigan.

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Ted Simmons made his major league debut with the Cardinals at the age of 18, appearing in two games during the 1968 pennant-winning season.

Ted Simmons spent another year in Triple-A with the Tulsa Oilers before returning to the major leagues in 1970 where he platooned with Joe Torre.

Ted Simmons finished 16th in balloting for the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player Award as the Cardinals finished in second place behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Eastern Division.

Ted Simmons refused to sign a contract for the amount of salary offered by the Cardinals in 1972, electing to play without a contract.

Ted Simmons ultimately signed a contract well into the season during which he was recognized as one of the top catchers in the league by earning a spot as a reserve on the 1972 National League All-Star team.

Ted Simmons led the league's catchers in putouts and finished second in assists, earning his second All-Star berth as the Cardinals again finished the season in second place.

In 1975, Simmons hit 18 home runs along with 100 RBIs and posted a career-high.

Ted Simmons set a National League single-season record for most hits by a catcher with 188.

Ted Simmons finished in 6th place in the National League Most Valuable Player Award balloting as the Cardinals ended the season in fourth place.

Ted Simmons led the Cardinals in RBIs every year from 1972 until 1978.

In 1979, Ted Simmons hit a career-high 26 home runs, setting the record for most home runs in a season by a Cardinals catcher.

Ted Simmons met his old team, the St Louis Cardinals in the 1982 World Series, hitting two home runs before the Brewers lost in a seven-game series.

Ted Simmons spent three seasons with the Braves as a utility player and pinch hitter before retiring as a player in 1988 at the age of 38.

From an equipment standpoint, Ted Simmons used a Rawlings brand catcher's mitt and Adirondack bats.

Ted Simmons held major league records for catchers with 2,472 career hits and 483 doubles, since broken by Ivan Rodriguez.

Ted Simmons caught 122 shutouts in his career, ranking him eighth all-time among major league catchers.

In 1992, Ted Simmons was hired as general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ted Simmons served in that position for only a year, retiring after suffering a heart attack in June 1993.

Ted Simmons was Director of Player Development for both the Cardinals and San Diego Padres, and a scout at the Major League level for the Cleveland Indians.

Ted Simmons was named the bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers starting with the 2008 season.

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In November 2008 Ted Simmons was named bench coach for the Padres under manager Bud Black, replacing Craig Colbert.

Ted Simmons was hired on November 5,2010 as a senior advisor to general manager Jack Zduriencik of the Seattle Mariners.

Ted Simmons was formally enshrined on September 8,2021, as the 2020 ceremony was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.