Chris Singleton (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Verdell Singleton (born August 15, 1972 in Martinez, California
) is a former center fielder
in Major League Baseball
. During his six-year major league career (from to ), he played for the Chicago White Sox
(1999-), Baltimore Orioles
, Oakland Athletics
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
(2005). During his playing career, his listed height and weight were 6'2", 210 pounds. He batted and threw left-handed
.
in the 30th round (790th overall) of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
, Singleton opted to attend the University of Nevada
. His stock rose considerably over the next three years, and he was selected by the San Francisco Giants
in the 2nd round (48th overall) of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
. On November 11, , he was traded by the Giants with pitcher Alberto Castillo
to the New York Yankees
for Charlie Hayes
and cash. On December 8, 1998, the Yankees dealt him to the White Sox for minor leaguer Rich Pratt.
Upon reaching the majors in 1999, Singleton hit .300 with 17 home run
s and 74 RBI
, but his power numbers dropped precipitously each season thereafter. A highlight of his 1999 season was on July 6, when he hit for the cycle
becoming the first White Sox player to hit for the cycle in 15 years. On January 29, 2002, he was traded by the White Sox to the Baltimore Orioles for Willie Harris
.
Singleton had signed to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in , but his contract was voided after he failed a physical exam. The team cited a pre-existing ear condition, which had initially been diagnosed as a simple infection, but ultimately proved to be something more serious. On January 21, , he signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but was released on July 4 after just 59 at-bats.
, he was the color commentator
on Chicago White Sox
radio broadcasts for the and seasons. However, on March 4, , it was announced that he would be leaving that position to take on an analyst role with the ESPN
television program Baseball Tonight
. He was replaced by former Chicago Cubs
television broadcaster Steve Stone
. Singleton will also serve as a game analyst for Sunday Night Baseball
on ESPN Radio beginning in .
Martinez, California
Martinez is a city and the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,824 at the 2010 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings...
) is a former center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. During his six-year major league career (from to ), he played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1999-), Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
(2005). During his playing career, his listed height and weight were 6'2", 210 pounds. He batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
Baseball career
Selected by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the 30th round (790th overall) of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
, Singleton opted to attend the University of Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
. His stock rose considerably over the next three years, and he was selected by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 2nd round (48th overall) of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
. On November 11, , he was traded by the Giants with pitcher Alberto Castillo
Alberto Castillo (pitcher)
Alberto Castillo Betancourt is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.- Amateur career :Castillo played for Cuba in the 1993 World Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario, at which time he defected....
to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Charlie Hayes
Charlie Hayes
Charles Dewayne Hayes is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , Colorado Rockies , Pittsburgh Pirates , Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros...
and cash. On December 8, 1998, the Yankees dealt him to the White Sox for minor leaguer Rich Pratt.
Upon reaching the majors in 1999, Singleton hit .300 with 17 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 74 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, but his power numbers dropped precipitously each season thereafter. A highlight of his 1999 season was on July 6, when he hit for the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
becoming the first White Sox player to hit for the cycle in 15 years. On January 29, 2002, he was traded by the White Sox to the Baltimore Orioles for Willie Harris
Willie Harris
William Charles Harris is a Major League Baseball outfielder and infielder. Harris is known for his quick feet and base-stealing abilities, with currently 94 career stolen bases. Harris was formerly a member of the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox , Atlanta Braves , and...
.
Singleton had signed to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in , but his contract was voided after he failed a physical exam. The team cited a pre-existing ear condition, which had initially been diagnosed as a simple infection, but ultimately proved to be something more serious. On January 21, , he signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but was released on July 4 after just 59 at-bats.
Broadcasting career
Paired with play-by-play man and former major league pitcher Ed FarmerEd Farmer
Edward Joseph Farmer is a former Major League relief pitcher with an 11-year career from - and -. He played for the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Oakland A's, all in the American League, and the Philadelphia Phillies...
, he was the color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
on Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
radio broadcasts for the and seasons. However, on March 4, , it was announced that he would be leaving that position to take on an analyst role with the ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
television program Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
. He was replaced by former Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
television broadcaster Steve Stone
Steve Stone (baseball player)
Steven Michael Stone is an American former Major League Baseball player, and current sportscaster and author....
. Singleton will also serve as a game analyst for Sunday Night Baseball
Sunday Night Baseball
Sunday Night Baseball is the Major League Baseball exclusive game of the week that is televised Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN during the regular season...
on ESPN Radio beginning in .