Randle had a breakthrough 1974 season, batting .302 with a home run, 49 RBI, 26 stolen bases and 65 runs scored in 151 games while splitting time at second base, third base and in the outfield.[5] He split time in all three positions in 1975 as well before being returned to second base in 1976.[5]
1977 punching incident
During spring training in 1977, first round draft choiceBump Wills earned the starting second base job over Randle.[6] On March 28, the Rangers were in Orlando for an exhibition game with the Minnesota Twins. During batting practice an hour before the first pitch, Randle approached Rangers manager Frank Lucchesi. Randle claimed that Lucchesi called him a "punk", which Lucchesi denies. Randle punched Lucchesi in the face three times before the altercation was stopped by bystanders.[6][7]
Lucchesi was hospitalized for a week, needing plastic surgery to repair his fractured cheekbone which Randle had broken in three places.[6] He also received bruises to his kidney and back. The Rangers suspended Randle for 30 days without pay and fined him $10,000.[8] On April 26, before the suspension was complete, Texas traded him to the New York Mets for cash and a player to be named later; Texas later received Rick Auerbach.[9]
Randle was charged with assault, and pleaded no contest to battery charges in a Florida court, receiving a $1,050 fine. The Rangers fired Lucchesi on June 21.[10] Lucchesi sued Randle for $200,000.[11] They settled for $20,000.[12]
For the season, Randle batted .304 with five home runs, 27 RBI, a career-high 33 stolen bases and 78 runs scored in 136 games for the last place Mets.[5] His stats fell off considerably in 1978, when he batted .233 with two home runs, 35 RBI, 14 stolen bases and 53 runs in 132 games.[5] The Mets released Randle during spring training in 1979.[15]
San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees
On February 21, 1980, Randle signed with the Seattle Mariners as a non-roster invitee.[19] By the end of spring training, he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs. He batted .276 and with five home runs, 39 RBI and 19 stolen bases as the Cubs' regular third baseman.[5] On February 18, 1981, Randle returned to the Mariners as a free agent.[20] In two seasons with the Mariners, he batted .223 with four home runs and 26 RBI backing up second and third base.[5]
With the Kansas City Royals visiting the Kingdome on May 27, 1981, Royals center fielderAmos Otis hit a slow roller down the third base line in the sixth inning. Randle got on his hands and knees and blew the ball over the foul line; the umpires disallowed his action, and ruled it fair.[21][22] Afterwards, Randle said that there was a "no-blow rule" implemented. He jokingly said, "They won the game, we won the protest."[citation needed]
In a 12-year, 1,138 game major league career, Randle batted .257 (1,016-for-3,950) with 27 home runs, 488 runs scored and 322 RBI.[5]
Italian baseball career
In 1983, Randle became the first American major league player to play baseball in Italy. He holds the record for the longest home run in the Italian Serie-A1 league, most home runs and singles hit in a three-game series and the most hits in a three-game series. He won a batting title in Italy with a .477 batting average.[23]
