| Chris Singleton | |
|---|---|
| Center fielder | |
| Born: (1972-08-15)August 15, 1972 (age 53) Martinez, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 10, 1999, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 19, 2005, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .273 |
| Home runs | 45 |
| Runs batted in | 276 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Christopher Verdell Singleton (born August 15, 1972) is an Americansportscaster and former professionalbaseballoutfielder. He played most of his career as acenter fielder for six seasons inMajor League Baseball, from1999 to2005. He played for theChicago White Sox (1999-2001),Baltimore Orioles (2002),Oakland Athletics (2003) andTampa Bay Devil Rays (2005). During his playing career, his listed height and weight were 6'2", 210 pounds. He batted and threwleft-handed.
Selected by theHouston Astros in the 30th round (790th overall) of the1990 Major League Baseball Draft, Singleton opted to attend theUniversity of Nevada. His stock rose considerably over the next three years, and he was selected by theSan Francisco Giants in the 2nd round (48th overall) of the1993 Major League Baseball Draft. On November 11,1997, he was traded by the Giants with pitcherAlberto Castillo to theNew York Yankees forCharlie 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 17home runs and 74RBI, but his power numbers dropped precipitously each season thereafter. A highlight of his 1999 season was on July 6, when hehit 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 forWillie Harris.
Singleton had signed to play with thePittsburgh Pirates in2004, but his contract was voided after he failed aphysical 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.[1] On January 21,2005, he signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but was released on July 4 after just 59at-bats.
Singleton trained at EVO Ultrafit inPhoenix, Arizona, throughout his career.[2]
Paired with play-by-play man and former major league pitcherEd Farmer, Singleton was thecolor commentator onChicago White Sox radio broadcasts for the2006 and2007 seasons. However, on March 4,2008, it was announced that he would be leaving that position to take on an analyst role with theESPN television programBaseball Tonight. He was replaced by formerChicago Cubs television broadcasterSteve Stone. Singleton also served as lead game analyst forESPN Radio's baseball coverage from2011 to2021, teaming with play-by-play announcersDan Shulman andJon Sciambi to callSunday Night Baseball as well asAll-Star Game and postseason broadcasts for the network. In 2021 he was hired as a part-time analyst forMilwaukee Brewers telecasts onBally Sports Wisconsin.[3]
Singleton is not related to former MLB playerKen Singleton, though Chris was often mistaken for being Ken's son during his career.[4] When Chris Singleton was on the Orioles, he chose to wear the same number 29 that Ken Singleton wore during his career as an Oriole.[4]
Singleton was featured in MLB The Show 25 as a broadcaster along with Jon Sciambi.
· Baseball Almanac| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Hitting for the cycle July 6, 1999 | Succeeded by |