Ted Simmons

A switch-hitting catcher who led all catchers in career hits and doubles at retirement.

Ted Lyle Simmons, nicknamed 'Simba', is an American former professional baseball catcher born on August 9, 1949. He played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves. Often overshadowed by Johnny Bench, Simmons is considered one of the best hitting catchers in MLB history, hitting .300 seven times despite playing home games in a notoriously tough hitter's park. At retirement, he led all catchers in career hits (2,472) and doubles (483), ranking second in RBIs behind Yogi Berra and second in total bases behind Carlton Fisk. He set the National League record for home runs by a switch-hitter with 182. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in December 2019, he was formally enshrined on September 8, 2021. On July 31, 2021, the Cardinals retired his jersey number (23) and unveiled a statue.

Quick Facts

Position: Catcher
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Born: 9 August 1949
Birthplace: Highland Park, Michigan, U.S.
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: September 21
Debut year: 1968

Lore & Background

He spent ten years with the Cardinals before a contentious feud with manager Whitey Herzog led to a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers on December 12, 1980. The deal sent Simmons, Rollie Fingers, and Pete Vuckovich to Milwaukee for Sixto Lezcano, Lary Sorensen, Dave LaPoint, and David Green. Despite a batting average drop to.216 in his first American League season, he rebounded strongly in 1982, hitting.269 with 23 home runs and leading AL catchers with a.995 fielding percentage.

That year, the Brewers won the AL Eastern Division and defeated the California Angels in the Championship Series before facing Simmons' former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, in the World Series. Simmons hit two home runs in that series, though Milwaukee lost in seven games. His career also included a trade to the Atlanta Braves in March 1986, where he served as a utility player and pinch hitter until retiring in 1988 at age 38.

Reader's Guide

Fans of Ted Simmons should focus on his unique combination of switch-hitting power and durability. He hit 20 home runs six times and reached 90+ RBIs eight times in a 21-year career. His defensive contributions included catching two no-hitters: Bob Gibson's in 1971 and the first of Bob Forsch's two career no-hitters in 1978. Simmons also twice led the National League in intentional walks (1976–1977), accumulating a record 188 by a player primarily known as a catcher.

Offensively, he was an eight-time All-Star and won the inaugural Silver Slugger Award in 1980 with a .303 average, 21 home runs, and 98 RBIs. His equipment choices were specific: he used Rawlings brand catcher's mitts and Adirondack bats. Post-playing career, Simmons served as general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992–1993), bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres, and scout for the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. His Hall of Fame journey was arduous; he received less than 5% of the vote in 1994, missing the Veterans Committee by one vote in 2017, before finally securing election in December 2019.

Did You Know?

Simmons received a $50,000 signing bonus from the St. Louis Cardinals to bypass his commitment to the University of Michigan.
Simmons caught 122 shutouts during his career, ranking eighth-most all-time among major league catchers.
In 1979, he hit a career-high 26 home runs, setting the record for most home runs in a season by a Cardinals catcher.