Randy Bass

Randy William Bass (born March 13, 1954) is an American former baseball player. He is less notable for his career in Major League Baseball than for his success in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hanshin Tigers.

Randy Bass
Randy Bass With The Hanshin Tigers.jpg
Randy Bass With The Hanshin Tigers
Member of the Oklahoma Senate
from the 32nd district
In office
January 4, 2005 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byJim Maddox
Succeeded byJohn M. Montgomery
Personal details
Born (1954-03-13) March 13, 1954 (age 70)
Lawton, Oklahoma
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Kelley Bass
Children3
Occupationpolitician, former baseball player

Baseball career
First baseman
Born: (1954-03-13) March 13, 1954 (age 70)
Lawton, Oklahoma
Batted: Left Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 3, 1977, for the Minnesota Twins
NPB: 1983, for the Hanshin Tigers
Last appearance
MLB: June 7, 1982, for the Texas Rangers
NPB: 1988, for the Hanshin Tigers
NPB statistics
Batting average.337
Home runs202
Runs batted in486
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Bass came up with the Minnesota Twins as a first baseman in 1977. In his six seasons in the Major Leagues he was never a day-to-day player, usually coming off the bench just to pinch hit. After his contract expired following the 1982 season, Bass signed with the Hanshin Tigers who made him their starting first baseman. Bass is often credited with single-handedly turning around the fortunes of the Tigers, which ultimately resulted in the team's pennant run and Japan Series title in 1985.

Bass adapted quickly to Japanese pitching, hitting 35 home runs in his first season in 1983, and became the Tigers' star slugger for several seasons. He won four consecutive league batting titles; in 1986, he nearly became the first player in Japan to bat .400, finishing the season with a .389 average. Bass won consecutive batting Triple Crowns (1985 and 1986).