Here as Baseball Blogging Network, we try to give guys some love people sometimes overlook or forget about. People know I love Milwaukee Brewers players and one guy often overlooked is Ted Simmons. When you talk about great catchers names like Berra, Bench, and Mike Pizza are mentioned, but you will be hard-pressed to find someone to name Ted Simmons. Why isn't Ted Simmons named more when you talk about catchers. Let's take a look at Ted Simmons and his career and see what he accomplished.
Ted Simmons was a Silver Slugger winner and an 8-time All-Star along with finally getting elected into the Hall Of Fame in 2020 by the veteran's committee. Simmons played a total of 21 years which consisted of 13 in St. Louis, 5 in Milwaukee, and 3 with the Atlanta Braves. During his career, he had some impressive numbers for a catcher that many people seem to dismiss.
Six times he hit 20 or more home runs and three times he hit 100 or more RBI's in a season. He played 2,456 games and garnered 2,472 hits and 8 times he batted .300 or better in a season. Simmons numbers were very consistent across the board and was a very good defensive catcher. Being a switch hitter also made him a very dangerous hitter and a guy you could play against anyone. His 182 switch-hitting home runs rank #1 in the National League.
Ted Simmons may not be a household name to many, but during his time in the MLB he was a gritty tough ballplayer that you could count on day after day. He gave you everything he had and now he is in the Hall Of Fame. Well deserved for a guy who played 21 years in Major League Baseball.
