Former Italian American Met of the Day: Joe Randa (1995-2006)

Joseph Gregory Salvatore Randa was born December 18, 1969 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Randa was a high school star in baseball, basketball, tennis & football having his #12 retired by the school. He attended the University of Tennessee getting signed by the Kansas City Royals in 11th round of the 1991 draft. He hit over .290 three times in the minors making it to the big leagues in 1995. In 1996 he became the Royals regular third baseman batting .303 with 24 doubles 6 HRs 47 RBIs & 13 stolen bases. The next season he was traded to Pittsburgh for Jay Bell & Jeff King, where he hit .302.

In Pittsburgh he earned the nickname “The Joker” because team mates said he resembled the comic book villain when he smiled. Randa got drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the expansion draft but was soon traded to Detroit for one season. On December 4th 1998 he was traded to the New York Mets for Willie Bair. He was a Met for six days, never suiting up as he was traded back to the Royals for a minor leaguer on December 10th.

Randa would spend the next six seasons in Kansas City as one of the leagues better infielders. After coming in second place in fielding percentage three straight years, he led all AL third baseman in 2003 (.980%). That year Randa set the Kansas City Royals' team record for the most consecutive errorless games by a third baseman, going 75 games without an error. He also led the league in put outs three times & assists once at third base. He batted over.290 three times, including two .300 seasons. He hit over 30 doubles six times & was among the league leaders in triples, singles, & sac flies over those seasons at least once. In 1999 he had career highs in average (.314) runs scored (92) & hits (197) posting a .363 on base %. The next year he hit .304 and had a career high 106 RBIs with 15 HRs & 186 hits.

In 2005 he was granted free agency & signed with the Reds. During the season he was traded to the Padres, and then finished out his career in Pittsburgh in 2006. After 12 seasons he hit .284 with 1543 hits 123 HRs 327 doubles 36 triples 739 RBIs & 67 sac flies (150th all time). His .962 fielding % is 39th all time at third base & his 2489 assists are 61st all time.

Retirement: He is currently a host of Crunch Time on Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City