| Joe Randa | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Randa atMarshall Army Airfield in 2010 | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: (1969-12-18)December 18, 1969 (age 55) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 30, 1995, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 2006, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .284 |
| Home runs | 123 |
| Runs batted in | 739 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joseph Gregory Randa (/ˈrændə/; born December 18, 1969) is an American formerMajor League Baseball player. He was primarily athird baseman during his career. His nickname is "the Joker" due to his resemblance to thecomic book character inBatman and his ever-present smile, especially during hisplate appearances. It was given to him byTony Muser, theKansas City Royalsmanager during Randa's second tour with the ballclub. This had resulted from Muser having to constantly answer questions about why Randa was always smiling. "I'd tell them that's not a smile, it's his normal look", Muser explained.[1]
Randa attendedKettle Moraine High School inWales, 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.
Randa played minor league for the Eugene Emeralds. He made his major league debut in1995 with theKansas City 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, andDetroit Tigers, respectively.
The Royals reacquired Randa prior to the1999 season. Installed as a full-timethird baseman for the first time in his career, Randa hit .314 with 16home runs and 84RBIs, establishing himself as a run producer in the middle of the order and a steady fielder at third base. In 2003, Randa set theKansas City Royals' team record for the most consecutive errorless games by a third baseman, going 75 games without an error. After the2004 season ended, Randa signed with theCincinnati Reds as a free agent. OnOpening Day, Randa hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 9th for Cincinnati in a 7–6 victory. On July 23,2005, Randa was traded to theSan Diego Padres for pitchersJustin Germano andTravis Chick.[1] He was then signed by the Pirates on December 28, 2005, for a one-year contract worth between $3.5 and $4 million. On September 22, Randa broke up Padres pitcherChris Young's no-hit bid with a pinch-hit home run in the 9th inning. On November 2,2006, Randa announced his retirement. He batted .284/.339/.426 with 123 HRs and 739 RBIs in 1,522 games over 12 seasons.
Randa is one of only three players in Kansas City Royal history to collect six hits in a nine-inning game, which he did on September 9,2004 in the first game of adoubleheader against theDetroit Tigers atComerica Park; he went 6-for-7 in a 26–5 Royal blowout win.Bob Oliver had collected six hits in a1969 (the franchise's inaugural season) game andKevin Seitzer in1987. Randa alsoscored six runs in that game; as of 2019, he is the most recent Major Leaguer to do so.
Randa made his first and only playoff appearance in 2005 with the Padres, hitting .364 in three games.
Randa works with the Royals' minor league teams as a special assistant.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Topps Rookie All-Star Third Baseman 1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | American League Player of the Month July, 1999 | Succeeded by |
