Lenny Randle, a former professional baseball player recognized for his impressive 12-season career, passed away at the age of 75. Randle’s son, Bradley, confirmed that his father died at their home in Murrieta, California, on Sunday. The family has requested that the specific cause of death remain private.
Randle contributed to the Arizona State team’s victory in the 1969 College World Series and also showcased his talents in football during his college years. He was picked 10th overall by the Washington Senators in the secondary phase of the 1970 amateur draft, making his Major League Baseball debut on June 16, 1971, where he earned his first hit against the famed pitcher Vida Blue. Over his career, Randle achieved statistics of a .257 batting average, 27 home runs, 322 RBIs, and 156 stolen bases while playing for teams such as the Senators/Rangers, Mets, Yankees, Cubs, and Mariners.
However, it is his off-field moments that secured him the title of “The Most Interesting Man in Baseball.” This accolade was popularized by Rolling Stone magazine and was featured in a documentary by MLB Network in 2015. Randle is remembered for several noteworthy incidents, such as being on the bench during the Senators’ last game of the 1971 season when fans stormed the field; instigating a brawl in 1974 after bunting towards a Cleveland pitcher; and being present during the infamous Ten Cent Beer Night riot in Cleveland.
Additionally, Randle had an interesting episode when a blackout occurred at Shea Stadium while he was batting against the Cubs on July 13, 1977. He also filled in for the late Thurman Munson on the Yankees roster shortly after the catcher’s tragic death. A peculiar moment of his career happened on May 27, 1981, when he was cited for blowing a foul ball, which led to an unusual ruling by the plate umpire.
As a youth baseball coach, he promoted education through his distributed T-shirts that read: “Don’t Blow It, Go to College.” Randle’s time with the Texas Rangers came to a tumultuous end after he punched manager Frank Lucchesi in 1977, resulting in significant injuries for Lucchesi, a suspension for Randle, and the loss of a portion of his salary. This incident stemmed from Randle’s disappointment over not playing regularly, which led him to request a trade.
Following the altercation, Randle was traded to the New York Mets in 1978, where he agreed to a contract that briefly put him in a holdout situation during spring training. After being released by the Mets in 1979, he had stints with the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his contract was later picked up by the New York Yankees.
Randle made history in 1983 as the first American player to join the Italian baseball league with a team called Nettuno. Reflecting on this experience, he expressed that playing baseball in Italy felt rejuvenating, allowing athletes to enjoy the game without the added pressures typically faced in the U.S.
In addition to his athletic career, Randle pursued stand-up comedy after games and recorded a funk song titled “Kingdome.” He leaves behind his wife, Linda, three sons—Bradley, Kumasi, and Ahmad—and three grandchildren. A memorial celebration is set to honor his life and legacy.
