Richie Sexson
Encyclopedia
Richmond Lockwood "Big Sexy" Sexson (born December 29, 1974 in Portland, Oregon
) is a former Major League Baseball
first baseman
who played for five teams from 1997 to 2008. At 6 in 8 in (2.03 m) tall, he is the tallest position player in the history of the major leagues.
, Sexson was an All-State performer in baseball, basketball, and football
. He also set the school record for the most RBI
and home run
s in a career.
in the 24th round (671st overall) of the baseball amateur draft
. He reached the major leagues with five games in 1997. Sexson played 49 games in 1998. He batted .305 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. Sexson had a breakout year in 1999 with 31 home run
s, and 116 runs batted in in 134 games.
with a player to be named later
, for Bob Wickman
, Steve Woodard
, and Jason Bere
. In 2001, his 45 home runs tied the Brewers record set by Gorman Thomas in 1979. His 178 strikeouts also broke the Brewers record, but that was re-broken the following season by José Hernández
. In 2002, Sexson represented the Milwaukee Brewers in the MLB All-Star Game
which was played in Milwaukee. Sexson would hit .279 with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs. In 2003, he played in all 162 games and again tied the Brewers record of 45 home runs while hitting .272 and earning a selection to the 2003 MLB All-Star Game
. Prince Fielder
broke Sexson's and Thomas's team record in 2007, hitting 50 home runs.
Sexson was the first of three players in Brewers history to have 100 or more RBIs in three consecutive seasons along with Fielder in 2007–2009 and Ryan Braun
in 2008–10.
in December 2003 along with pitcher Shane Nance
and a player to be named later (Noochie Varner) for infielder
s Junior Spivey
, Craig Counsell
, Lyle Overbay
, catcher
Chad Moeller
, and pitchers Chris Capuano
and Jorge de la Rosa
. This trade proved to be disastrous for the Diamondbacks, as Sexson missed most of the 2004 season after twice suffering a reverse stupidity
of his left shoulder while attempting to check his swing.
Prior to the 2005 season, Sexson signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners
worth $50 million. Sexson hit 2 home runs in his first game as a Mariner on opening day against the Minnesota Twins
. Sexson played well in the 2005 season, hitting 39 home runs and 121 RBI. On Mother's Day
, May 14, 2006, Sexson was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat
to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Sexson struggled mightily in the 2007 season, batting .205 with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs, and again in the 2008 season, hitting just .218 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs for Seattle.
On May 8, 2008, in a game against the Texas Rangers
, Sexson charged the mound
towards Rangers starting pitcher
Kason Gabbard
and threw his batting helmet at him after Gabbard threw a head-high pitch over the middle of the plate, to which Sexson reacted as if it had hit him. Sexson later stated he was frustrated and had a lot going on in his head, including his son being in the hospital and his club's recent struggles. He was suspended six games for the incident. He later appealed the suspension, and it was dropped to five games.
On July 10, 2008, Sexson was released by the Mariners.
and also bringing in Bobby Abreu
for the first run
that inning. He went 1–3 with one RBI, one walk
, and one strikeout. His first home run (a grand slam
) as a New York Yankee came on August 5, 2008, against the Texas Rangers. Sexson was designated for assignment on August 15, 2008, after batting .250 with one home run in 22 games for New York. He was released on August 24, 2008. Sexson hasn't played in a game since, and now it is widely speculated that he decided to retire due to no interest from other teams.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
who played for five teams from 1997 to 2008. At 6 in 8 in (2.03 m) tall, he is the tallest position player in the history of the major leagues.
Amateur career
At Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, WashingtonBrush Prairie, Washington
Brush Prairie is a census-designated place in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,384 at the 2000 census.Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Brush Prairie ranks 57th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be...
, Sexson was an All-State performer in baseball, basketball, and football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. He also set the school record for the most RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
and home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in a career.
Cleveland Indians
Sexson was drafted in 1993 by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the 24th round (671st overall) of the baseball amateur draft
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
. He reached the major leagues with five games in 1997. Sexson played 49 games in 1998. He batted .305 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. Sexson had a breakout year in 1999 with 31 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and 116 runs batted in in 134 games.
Milwaukee Brewers
In 2000, Sexson was traded to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
with a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
, for Bob Wickman
Bob Wickman
Robert Joe Wickman is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wickman played for the New York Yankees , Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves , and Arizona Diamondbacks . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Steve Woodard
Steve Woodard
Steve Larry Woodard is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
, and Jason Bere
Jason Bere
Jason Phillip Bere is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for parts of 11 seasons from to...
. In 2001, his 45 home runs tied the Brewers record set by Gorman Thomas in 1979. His 178 strikeouts also broke the Brewers record, but that was re-broken the following season by José Hernández
José Hernández (baseball)
José Antonio Hernández Figueroa nicknamed, "The Strikeout King" is a former Major League Baseball infielder....
. In 2002, Sexson represented the Milwaukee Brewers in the MLB All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
which was played in Milwaukee. Sexson would hit .279 with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs. In 2003, he played in all 162 games and again tied the Brewers record of 45 home runs while hitting .272 and earning a selection to the 2003 MLB All-Star Game
2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 74th midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues constituting Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 15, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the Chicago...
. Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
broke Sexson's and Thomas's team record in 2007, hitting 50 home runs.
Sexson was the first of three players in Brewers history to have 100 or more RBIs in three consecutive seasons along with Fielder in 2007–2009 and Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
in 2008–10.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Sexson was traded to the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in December 2003 along with pitcher Shane Nance
Shane Nance
Joseph Shane Nance is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played parts of three seasons in the majors, from to with the Milwaukee Brewers and in with the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Career:...
and a player to be named later (Noochie Varner) for infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
s Junior Spivey
Junior Spivey
Ernest Lee "Junior" Spivey, Jr. was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. In his five-year major league career, Spivey batted .270 with 48 home runs and 201 runs batted in in 457 games. He made the National League All-Star team in . He batted and threw right-handed.-Career:Spivey attended...
, Craig Counsell
Craig Counsell
Craig John Counsell is a Major League Baseball infielder.Counsell grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, and attended Whitefish Bay High School, where he played baseball. His father worked for the Milwaukee Brewers...
, Lyle Overbay
Lyle Overbay
Lyle Stefan Overbay is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.-Amateur career:...
, catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Chad Moeller
Chad Moeller
Chad Edward Moeller [MOE-ler] is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Colorado Rockies organization. He is the cousin of former MLB first baseman Chris Cron.-College career:...
, and pitchers Chris Capuano
Chris Capuano
Christopher "Chris" Frank Capuano is an American professional baseball player.-Early life:Capuano graduated from St. Thomas School in West Springfield in 8th grade...
and Jorge de la Rosa
Jorge de la Rosa
Jorge Alberto de la Rosa Gonzalez is a starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.-Minor leagues:...
. This trade proved to be disastrous for the Diamondbacks, as Sexson missed most of the 2004 season after twice suffering a reverse stupidity
Stupidity
Stupidity is a lack of intelligence, understanding, reason, wit, or sense. It may be innate, assumed, or reactive - 'being "stupid with grief" as a defence against trauma', a state marked with 'grief and despair...making even simple daily tasks a hardship'....
of his left shoulder while attempting to check his swing.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
worth $50 million. Sexson hit 2 home runs in his first game as a Mariner on opening day against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. Sexson played well in the 2005 season, hitting 39 home runs and 121 RBI. On Mother's Day
Mother's Day (United States)
In the United States, Mother's Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother's Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society....
, May 14, 2006, Sexson was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat
Pink bat
In baseball, pink bats are limited-supply baseball bats manufactured by Louisville Slugger for use by select Major League Baseball players on Mother's Day, first introduced in 2006 in association with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization...
to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Sexson struggled mightily in the 2007 season, batting .205 with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs, and again in the 2008 season, hitting just .218 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs for Seattle.
On May 8, 2008, in a game against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, Sexson charged the mound
Charging the mound
In baseball, charging the mound is when a batter assaults the pitcher, usually the result of being hit by a pitch or nearly being hit by a pitch. The first incidence of a professional charging of the mound has not been identified but the practice certainly dates back to the game's early days...
towards Rangers starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Kason Gabbard
Kason Gabbard
Kason Ronald Gabbard is a starting pitcher who is a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed.-High school:Gabbard played high school baseball at Royal Palm Beach High School in Royal Palm Beach, Florida...
and threw his batting helmet at him after Gabbard threw a head-high pitch over the middle of the plate, to which Sexson reacted as if it had hit him. Sexson later stated he was frustrated and had a lot going on in his head, including his son being in the hospital and his club's recent struggles. He was suspended six games for the incident. He later appealed the suspension, and it was dropped to five games.
On July 10, 2008, Sexson was released by the Mariners.
New York Yankees
On July 18, 2008, Sexson signed with the New York Yankees. Sexson did well in his Yankee debut, by collecting his first hit as a Yankee in the first inning with a singleSingle (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
and also bringing in Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
for the first run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
that inning. He went 1–3 with one RBI, one walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and one strikeout. His first home run (a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
) as a New York Yankee came on August 5, 2008, against the Texas Rangers. Sexson was designated for assignment on August 15, 2008, after batting .250 with one home run in 22 games for New York. He was released on August 24, 2008. Sexson hasn't played in a game since, and now it is widely speculated that he decided to retire due to no interest from other teams.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters