Joe Randa was a professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for 12 seasons. He was born on December 18, 1969, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended the University of Tennessee. Randa was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the 1991 MLB draft.
Randa made his MLB debut with the Royals in 1995 and played with them until 1998. He then played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999 before returning to the Royals in 2000. Randa played with the Royals until 2004 and was known for his consistent hitting and solid defense at third base.
In 2005, Randa signed with the Cincinnati Reds and had a strong season, hitting .289 with 8 home runs and 62 RBIs. He also won the National League Player of the Week award in August of that year. Randa played with the Reds for one season before signing with the San Diego Padres in 2006.
Randa played in 109 games for the Padres in 2006, hitting .284 with 7 home runs and 49 RBIs. He also had a career-high 22-game hitting streak during the season. However, Randa was released by the Padres in August of that year and decided to retire from baseball.
Throughout his career, Randa was known for his consistency and reliability. He had a career batting average of .284 and hit 123 home runs with 737 RBIs. Randa was also a solid defensive player, winning the Gold Glove award in 2003 for his play at third base.
Off the field, Randa was known for his charitable work. He established the Joe Randa Foundation in 2001, which supports various organizations that help children in need. Randa also received the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award in 2005 for his contributions to the community.
In conclusion, Joe Randa was a reliable and consistent player during his 12-year career in the MLB. He was known for his solid hitting and defense, as well as his charitable work off the field. Randa retired from baseball in 2006 but left a lasting impact on the game and the community.
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