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Joe Simpson (baseball)
Joe Simpson (baseball)
Joe Simpson (baseball)
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Joe Allen Simpson (born December 31, 1951) is an American former professional baseball player, and has been a radio and television broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1992.

Key Information

Career

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Playing career

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He began his baseball career as an All-American outfielder/first baseman at the University of Oklahoma.[1]

Simpson then played professionally for 12 seasons, beginning in 1973, when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round.[1] While with the Dodgers in 1978, he became the 3,000th strikeout victim of Gaylord Perry. He joined the Seattle Mariners in 1979 before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1983. An outfielder and first baseman throughout his professional career, he retired from the California Angels organization after the 1984 season.

Broadcasting career

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Simpson worked as an analyst on Seattle Mariners telecasts for five years before joining Turner Sports and the Atlanta Braves Radio Network in 1992.[2] He called Atlanta Braves games on TBS and Turner South until broadcasts ended on those networks.

Simpson was named "Georgia Sports Broadcaster of the Year" in 1995.[2]

Simpson was paired with Brian Jordan, Ron Gant and Tom Glavine during broadcasts on Peachtree TV. He was paired with Skip Caray until Caray's death in the summer of 2008.

Simpson served as an analyst for Major League Baseball on TBS coverage of the 2007 MLB Division Series with play-by-play commentator Don Orsillo during the series between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies.[3] The team called the one-game playoff between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres. He has served as the color analyst for the coverage of the 2009 National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Colorado Rockies with play-by-play commentator Brian Anderson.

In January 2018, Simpson was inducted into the Braves’ Hall of Fame.[2]

Simpson called Braves games on Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast with play-by-play announcer Chip Caray through the 2018 season.[4] Beginning in 2019, Simpson became the regular color commentator for the Atlanta Braves Radio Network alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Powell.[4] As of 2021, Simpson is usually paired with Ben Ingram.[5]

References

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Joe Simpson (baseball)

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Joe Simpson (born December 31, 1951) is an American former professional baseball player and longtime sportscaster, best known for his extensive career as a color analyst for the on radio and television. A left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder and first baseman from , Simpson played nine seasons in from 1975 to 1983, primarily with the and , compiling a career of .242 with 9 home runs and 124 RBI over 605 games. Drafted by the Dodgers in the third round of the 1973 MLB Draft after a standout college career at the —where he led the to two appearances and earned All-American honors—Simpson debuted with Los Angeles in 1975 and later enjoyed his most productive years with Seattle, including a career-high .283 average in 1979 and becoming the first Mariner to record five hits in a single game that August. Transitioning to broadcasting after retiring as a player in 1983, Simpson began his media career as a Mariners announcer from 1987 to 1991 before joining the Atlanta Braves in 1992, where he has since become a fixture on their broadcasts, often partnering with play-by-play voices like Skip Caray and Chip Caray. His tenure with the Braves, spanning over three decades, includes work on both the team's radio network and television via networks like TBS and Bally Sports Southeast, earning him multiple Georgia Sportscaster of the Year awards and induction into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2018 for his insightful analysis and fan-friendly style. Simpson's broadcasting approach, marked by humor and a self-admitted "homer" bias toward the Braves, has made him a beloved figure among fans, following a 2018 shift to primarily radio broadcasting while continuing select television games; as of the 2025 season, he serves as the Braves' radio color analyst.

Early life and education

Early years

Joe Simpson was born on December 31, 1951, in . Raised in a small-town environment, Simpson grew up in a family where played a central role from an early age; his father taught him to read by following New York Yankees box scores. Living about 170 miles from Mickey Mantle's hometown of Spavinaw, Simpson was influenced by the local baseball culture and idolized Mantle, fostering his passion for the sport during his formative years. Simpson's youth baseball experiences began in high school at in , where he excelled as an . As a senior in 1970, he batted .435, earned All-Boomer Conference honors, and was named to the All-Oklahoma first team, while leading his team to the state Class 4-A championship. These achievements highlighted his early athletic development in Oklahoma's competitive prep scene. After high school, Simpson attended the .

College career

Joe Simpson enrolled at the , where he played for the from 1971 to 1973 as an and . During his tenure, the made appearances in the in 1972 and 1973. Simpson developed into a left-handed batter and thrower, contributing to the team's efforts in the . In his year of 1971, Simpson appeared in 33 games, .248 with 25 hits, including 7 doubles and 3 triples, while scoring 12 runs. He improved in 1972 over 52 games, hitting .254 with 43 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs, driving in runs and scoring 37 times. His junior season in marked a breakout, as he played 57 games and batted .294, collecting 57 hits with 11 doubles and 44 runs scored, helping lead the Sooners' offense. Over his career, Simpson posted a .269 in 142 games, with 125 hits, 27 doubles, 6 triples, 2 home runs, and 93 runs scored, while stealing 42 bases. Simpson earned significant recognition for his play, including All-Big Eight Conference honors in both 1972 and 1973. He was also named to the All-District team those same years and capped his college career as a Third Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in 1973 as an outfielder. Defensively, he recorded a .958 fielding percentage across 355 total chances at his positions.

Professional playing career

Draft and minor leagues

Simpson was selected by the in the third round, 66th overall, of the out of the . His status as a college All-American helped secure this relatively high draft position. Following the draft, Simpson began his professional career with the Class-A Bakersfield Dodgers of the in 1973, where he appeared in 61 games and batted .304 with one and 24 RBIs, ranking fourth in the league in average. Midseason, he earned a promotion to the Triple-A of the , playing 15 games with a .222 and no home runs. This rapid ascent from Single-A to Triple-A highlighted his early promise as a left-handed hitting . In 1974, Simpson advanced to the Double-A Waterbury Dodgers of the Eastern League, where he played 117 games and hit .298 with one , ranking sixth in the league in while stealing 18 bases. He returned briefly to Triple-A Albuquerque for 13 games, batting .163 without home runs. His consistent contact hitting and speed in the Eastern League solidified his progression through the Dodgers' system. By 1975, Simpson spent the full minor league season with the Triple-A , appearing in 133 games with a .276 and two home runs. These performances, particularly his ability to handle Triple-A pitching, paved the way for his major league debut with the Dodgers later that year.

Major League Baseball

Simpson made his debut on September 2, 1975, as a for the against the Padres at . During his initial stint with the Dodgers from 1975 to 1978, he appeared in 71 games, primarily as a and reserve , batting .200 with no home runs and just 2 RBIs. A notable moment came on October 1, 1978, in the season finale against the Giants, when Simpson was struck out by for the pitcher's 3,000th career , making Simpson the third batter to reach that milestone for Perry after earlier miscounts were corrected. Simpson was sold to the Seattle Mariners by the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash on March 28, 1979. With Seattle from 1979 to 1982, he established himself as a regular , playing in 445 games and posting a .255 with 9 home runs and 114 RBIs. His most productive year came in 1979, when he hit .283 with 75 hits in 120 games, including his first career five-hit game on August 27 against the Cleveland Indians and his first MLB home run on April 25 against the Boston Red Sox. Simpson also demonstrated versatility by playing all three outfield positions, as well as first base and even , contributing to the young Mariners' lineup during their early expansion years. In December 1982, Simpson was selected by the in the , ending his Mariners tenure. He spent the 1983 season with , appearing in 89 games as a utility and , but struggled at the plate with a .168 average, 20 hits, and no home runs. Simpson's final MLB appearance came on October 1, 1983, against the California Angels. His limited production and the Royals' emphasis on younger talent led to his release later that year, after which he played in the minors before retiring. Over nine MLB seasons, Simpson played in 605 games, compiling a .242 with 338 hits, 9 s, and 124 RBIs. Known for his speed and defensive skills in , he stole 45 bases but struggled with power, averaging just one every 155 at-bats, which contributed to his role as a and rather than an everyday starter.

Broadcasting career

Seattle Mariners

After retiring as a professional player in 1983 following a nine-year MLB career that included stints with the Mariners from 1979 to 1982, Joe Simpson transitioned to broadcasting when the Mariners offered him a television commentator position multiple times before he accepted in 1987. His prior experience as an for the team provided an insider's perspective that enriched his analysis during broadcasts. Simpson served as a color analyst for Mariners telecasts from 1987 to 1991, primarily on television, where he complemented play-by-play announcers including and . In this role, he focused on providing strategic insights and player evaluations, drawing from his on-field background to explain nuances of the game. During his Mariners tenure, Simpson honed his broadcasting style under Niehaus's mentorship, emphasizing thorough preparation, objectivity, and connecting with audiences as the "people’s voice" to make games accessible and engaging. He became a popular figure in Seattle's broadcast booth, covering the team's contests amid second-division finishes, which helped build his reputation as a knowledgeable and relatable analyst.

Atlanta Braves

Joe Simpson joined the Atlanta Braves broadcasting team in 1992 as a color analyst for both radio and television, beginning a tenure that has spanned over 34 seasons as of 2025. His hiring followed his time with the Seattle Mariners, where his analytical style gained notice and paved the way for this prominent role. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Simpson partnered primarily with play-by-play announcers (1992–2008) and Pete Van Wieren (1992–2008), along with fellow analyst , delivering commentary on the Braves' dominant era that included 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005. He provided color analysis for key postseason moments, such as the Braves' championship—the franchise's first title in Atlanta—and their appearances in the and , where the team fell to the New York Yankees. In the mid-2000s, Simpson's television partnerships evolved to include (2005–2022), forming a booth that covered multiple division-winning seasons, including the 2018 title. Following a shift in 2019, where his television duties were reduced to about 20–30 games per year amid the addition of as lead TV analyst, Simpson transitioned primarily to radio, working alongside Jim Powell (2008–2022) and later Ben Ingram (2023–present). As of the 2025 season, Simpson continues as the radio color analyst, paired with play-by-play voice Ben Ingram and new pre- and post-game host Barrett Sallee, maintaining his role in calling regular-season and potential postseason games for the .

National and other broadcasts

Simpson expanded his broadcasting career into national MLB coverage through his long association with Turner Sports, beginning in 1992 when he joined TBS as a color analyst, which provided a platform for postseason and select regular-season assignments beyond Atlanta Braves games. He served as an analyst for TBS's MLB postseason broadcasts, including the 2007 National League Wild Card tie-breaker game between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, called alongside play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo. Simpson also contributed to TBS coverage of the 2007 National League Division Series between the Rockies and Phillies, as well as the 2009 National League Division Series rematch between the same teams, partnering with announcers such as Orsillo and Brian Anderson. In addition to TBS, Simpson worked with Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast starting in 2007 after the networks acquired regional rights, handling analyst duties for over 100 games in 2008 alone, which included broader exposure through cable distribution. His role with these Fox affiliates continued until a 2018 reduction in TV assignments, after which he focused more on radio while maintaining occasional television contributions.

Awards and honors

Playing achievements

One of Joe Simpson's most notable moments in Major League Baseball came on October 1, 1978, when he became the 3,000th strikeout victim of Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry during a game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Simpson struck out twice in that contest, with the first (eighth inning) initially believed to be Perry's 2,999th strikeout and the second (eleventh inning) announced as the 3,000th, but a post-game review confirmed the eighth-inning strikeout as the milestone. This event marked Simpson as part of baseball history, as Perry became only the third pitcher to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, joining Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson. In 1979 with the Seattle Mariners, Simpson became the first player in franchise history to record five hits in a single game, on August 27. Earlier in his career, Simpson was named an in 1974 while in the minors. Over his nine-season MLB career, spanning 605 games with a .242 , nine home runs, 124 RBI, and 45 stolen bases, Simpson earned no major individual awards but provided consistent utility value across teams.

Broadcasting recognition

Simpson has been named Georgia Sportscaster of the Year multiple times by the National Sports Media Association, including in 1995 and 1996, recognizing his insightful analysis and engaging style during his early years with the Atlanta Braves broadcast team. On January 27, 2018, Simpson became the first broadcaster inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honor that celebrated his 26 seasons of dedicated service to the organization at that time, including his role in calling key moments like the championship. Simpson's longevity in the booth has earned consistent fan appreciation, with his 34th season as a Braves broadcaster in 2025 highlighting his enduring popularity among listeners. In that year's Awful Announcing MLB local radio booth rankings (as of September 2025), the Braves duo of Ben Ingram and Simpson placed 14th overall, earning a composite grade of 2.36 from over 500 voters who praised their knowledgeable and entertaining partnership.

References

  1. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/joe-simpson/
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/simpsjo01.shtml
  3. https://www.mlb.com/player/joe-simpson-122256
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Joe_Simpson
  5. https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/longtime-braves-announcer-joe-simpson-joins-team-hall-fame/KBZTQ3AOgYlPQGwI7YwU1H/
  6. https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/long-time-braves-tv-analyst-joe-simpson-is-mainly-moving-to-radio-being-replaced-on-fox-sports-south-by-jeff-francoeur.html
  7. https://www.mlb.com/braves/team/broadcasters
  8. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player.asp?ID=18038
  9. http://soonerstats.com/baseball/players/details.cfm?playerid=730
  10. https://soonersports.com/news/2001/1/22/208403039
  11. https://soonersports.com/sports/2020/5/28/baseball-all-americans
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=simpso001joe
  13. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-1-1978-gaylord-perry-gets-3000th-career-strikeout-and-ozzie-smith-performs-his-first-pregame-backflip/
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1979-transactions.shtml
  15. https://www.mlb.com/mariners/history/broadcasters
  16. https://www.mlb.com/braves/history/broadcasters
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wm3im984Mg
  18. https://housethathankbuilt.com/who-are-atlanta-braves-tv-and-radio-announcers-for-2025
  19. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-atlanta-braves-radio-network-dickey-broadcasting-company-and-680-the-fan-announce-barrett-sallee-as-new-pre-and-post-game-show-host-for-atlanta-braves-play-by-play
  20. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2007/09/tbs-unveils-mlb-broadcast-teams/
  21. https://www.sportsvideo.org/2007/10/01/tbs-to-broadcast-nl-wild-card-tie-breaker-game/
  22. https://rbr.com/tbs-unveils-mlb-postseason-broadcast-teams/
  23. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2009/10/01/Sports-Media/TBS-Reveals-Announcers-For-MLB-Division-Series-NLCS-Coverage/
  24. https://www.mlb.com/news/3-000-strikeout-club-c303580736
  25. https://nationalsportsmedia.org/awards/state-awards/georgia
  26. https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/hudson-simpson-inducted-braves-hall-fame/OjMI2QCl0Yw17g7WNycYgI/
  27. https://www.mlb.com/video/simpson-inducted-to-braves-hof-c1873567383
  28. https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/2025-mlb-local-radio-booth-rankings-miller-rose-hughes-hamilton
  29. https://housethathankbuilt.com/joe-simpson-redemption-arc-complete-with-braves-radio-broadcast-ranking
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