This week in Petroplex Region history.
November 24, 1962: Randy Lee Velarde’s Birth
Randy Lee Velarde, born on November 24, 1962, in Midland, Texas, emerged as an American baseball figure, playing 16 MLB seasons. Predominantly associated with the New York Yankees, he showcased versatility across the field. Velarde’s college baseball journey at Lubbock Christian University led to his selection in the 1985 amateur draft by the Chicago White Sox. His impactful career, marked by turning the eleventh unassisted triple play in MLB history in 2000, extended from the Yankees to the California/Anaheim Angels, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers. Despite his departure from the Yankees in 1995, Velarde returned in 2001 and appeared in the World Series. His stats over 16 seasons include a .276 batting average and a .970 fielding percentage. Velarde’s connection to Midland remains rooted in his birthplace and college years.
