Former Mets and Yankees Player Lenny Randle Passes Away at 75…
Lenny Randle, a versatile baseball player who spent time with both the Mets and Yankees, has passed away at the age of 75, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced Monday.
Randle was selected in the first round of the 1970 draft by the Washington Senators. He stayed with the team as they transitioned to the Texas Rangers in 1972. His breakout year came in 1974, when he batted .302 and stole 26 bases in 151 games.
By 1977, Randle had lost his position as the Rangers’ starting second baseman, prompting him to express a desire to leave spring training. This led to public criticism from manager Frank Lucchesi. In a heated confrontation, Randle punched Lucchesi multiple times, fracturing his cheekbone. The incident, deemed out of character for Randle, ultimately led to his trade to the New York Mets.
During his debut season with the Mets, Randle impressed by hitting .304 and achieving a career-best 33 stolen bases. He had a brief tenure with the Yankees in 1979 before joining the Cubs and later concluding his MLB career with two seasons as a Seattle Mariner.
In a tribute posted on X, the Mariners expressed their condolences, saying, “We are saddened by the passing of former Mariner Lenny Randle. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones.”
