Christopher Verdell Singleton (born August 15, 1972 in Martinez, California) is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. During his six-year major league career (from 1999 to 2005), he played for the Chicago White Sox (1999-2001), Baltimore Orioles (2002), Oakland Athletics (2003) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2005). During his playing career, his listed height and weight were 6'2", 210 pounds. He batted and threw left-handed.

[edit] Biography

[edit] Baseball career

Selected by the Houston Astros in the 30th round (790th overall) of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft, Singleton opted to attend the University of Nevada. His stock rose considerably over the next three years, and he was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round (48th overall) of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. On November 11, 1997, he was traded by the Giants with pitcher Alberto Castillo to the New York Yankees for Charlie Hayes and cash. On December 8, 1998, the Yankees dealt him to the White Sox for minor leaguer Rich Pratt.

Upon reaching the majors in 1999, Singleton hit .300 with 17 home runs and 74 RBI, but his power numbers dropped precipitously each season thereafter. A highlight of his 1999 season was on July 6, when he hit for the cycle becoming the first White Sox player to hit for the cycle in 15 years. On January 29, 2002, he was traded by the White Sox to the Baltimore Orioles for Willie Harris.

Singleton had signed to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004, but his contract was voided after he failed a physical exam. The team cited a pre-existing ear condition, which had initially been diagnosed as a simple infection, but ultimately proved to be something more serious.^[1] On January 21, 2005, he signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but was released on July 4 after just 59 at-bats.

[edit] Broadcasting career

Paired with play-by-play man and former major league pitcher Ed Farmer, he was the color commentator on Chicago White Sox radio broadcasts for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. However, on March 4, 2008, it was announced that he would be leaving that position to take on an analyst role with the ESPN television program Baseball Tonight. He was replaced by former Chicago Cubs television broadcaster Steve Stone.

[edit] See also

• Hitting for the cycle

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference