Joe Randa

Infobox MLB retired
name=Joe Randa


position=Third Baseman
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate= birth date and age|1969|12|18
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
debutdate=April 30
debutyear=by|1995
debutteam=Kansas City Royals
finaldate=October 1
finalyear=by|2006
finalteam=Pittsburgh Pirates
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.284
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=123
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=739
teams=
* Kansas City Royals (by|1995-by|1996, by|1999-by|2004)
* Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1997, by|2006)
* Detroit Tigers (by|1998)
* Cincinnati Reds (by|2005)
* San Diego Padres (by|2005)

Joseph Gregory Salvatore Randa (pronEng|ˈɹændə, born December 18, 1969 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former Major League Baseball player. He was primarily a third baseman during his career.

High School Years

Randa attended Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. Randa's #12 was retired by the Lasers. He is also a member of the Kettle Moraine Laser Trailblazer Hall of Fame.

Pro career

Randa made his major league debut in by|1995 with the Royals, playing in 34 games. He played the next three seasons as a competitive third baseman with three different teams, hitting .303, .302, and .254 for the Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers, respectively.

The Royals reacquired Randa prior to the by|1999 season. Installed as a full-time third baseman for the first time in his career, Randa hit .314 with 16 home runs and 84 RBIs, establishing himself as a run producer in the middle of the order and a steady fielder at third base. In 2003, Randa set the Kansas City Royals' team record for the most consecutive errorless games by a third baseman, going 75 games without an error. After the by|2004 season ended, Randa signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a free agent. On Opening Day, Randa hit the game winning home run in the bottom of the 9th for Cincinnati in a 7-6 victory. On July 23, by|2005, Randa was traded to the San Diego Padres for pitchers Justin Germano and Travis Chick. He was then signed by the Pirates on December 28, 2005 for a one year contract worth between $3.5 and $4 million dollars.

On November 2, by|2006, Randa announced his retirement. He batted .284/.339/.426 with 123 HRs and 739 RBIs in 1,522 games over 12 seasons.

Randa's nickname is "The Joker" because of his resemblance to the comic book character in Batman and the way he "smiled" when he was up to bat. He was given this nickname while playing for Pittsburgh in by|1997.

Joe Randa is currently a host of "Crunch Time" on Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City.

Randa made his first and only playoff performance in 2005 with the San Diego Padres.

External links

*http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2005/6/16/154522/080/ - Joe Randa's Royal Career Retrospective

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