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Kenneth Wayne Singleton was born June
10, 1947 in New York City, New York. His professional
baseball debut was with the hometown team New York Mets
from 1970 to 1971. He was then traded to the Montreal
Expos and played there from 1972 to 1974. Little did
he know then how that organization would play a role
in his later career. For the most part his baseball
peak years were with the Baltimore Orioles from 1975
till 1984. It was there he played under a manager named
Earl Weaver, and with a young shortstop named Cal Ripkin
Jr.
Most of his major league career records
happened in Baltimore, Maryland. A state he still calls
home. In 1975, in recognition of his swatting prowess
he achieved 118 walks. In 1977, 79 and 81 he achieved
the baseball All-Star status. Also in 1977 he set an
Oriole club record with a .328 batting average, and
a .438 on base percentage. He was voted in the top ten
MVP baseball players during the years of 1973, 75, 77
and 79. It was in 1979 that he switch hit 35 homeruns.
Howard Johnson and Mickey Mantel have only equaled this.
He also helped Baltimore get into the
post season four times and the World Series twice. It
was in 1983 that he got the ring when the Orioles beat
the Philadelphia Phillies.
After baseball an old team, and another
hometown team, paved the way for his career change.
For twelve years he was the broadcaster for the Montreal
Expos and New York Yankees on the MSG network. Since
then he has moved onto the national Fox Network and
Major League Baseball broadcasts on an international
level.
In a recent television interview he was
asked to name his favorite big league player. Without
hesitation he said Willie Mays. As for favorite movie
it was Bull Durham, and his choice of ballpark was Wrigley
Field. In addition a question was raised what would
he name a book if he ever wrote one. At this point he
was known more for his broadcasting then ball playing.
With a smile slugger Singleton only said, "Diamonds
Aren’t Forever".
The last known contact for Ken Singleton
is 10 Sparks Ave., Sparks, Maryland 21152 USA. Signed
cards can be purchased at Autographed
To You.
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