Black Sox Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
Chicago first baseman Mark Simpson loves a nice round number.
Right now, he’s especially fond of 1,000 – the nice round number of RBIs he’d amassed as of the May 24 game at Vancouver.
Mark Simpson
“Why should they cheer for an opponent’s home run? I’m glad the guy who caught it in the stands threw it back - Ángel González (Vancouver CF) ran down the ball and threw it towards our dugout, so I got to keep it,” Simpson said. “That one’s going in the trophy case!”
Simpson, who signed a 6-year free agent contract worth $77.5 million with Chicago during the off-season, has been fulfilling team expectations so far. He leads the team in home runs (13), RBIs (32), walks (30), OBP (.366), and WAR (1.0), so far.
“We’re fortunate to have Mark as a part of the Black Sox family,” said Chicago GM Vic Caleca. “He fits The Blueprint™ for what we’re trying to do here perfectly.”
Simpson, by the way, picked up 2 more RBIs in the May 25 game at Long Beach, to bring his career total to 1,002.
“Gotta keep going if I’m gonna get 2,000,” Simpson said. “I love me those round numbers – the bigger, the better!”