View source for Richie Sexson

{{short description|American baseball player (born 1974)}}
{{Redirect|Sexson|the [[Freemasonry|Freemason]] Reverend Mark Sexson|International Order of the Rainbow for Girls}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Richie Sexson
|image=AAAA3659 Richie Sexson.jpg
|image_size=300
|caption=Sexson with the Mariners in 2008
|position=[[First baseman]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1974|12|29}}
|birth_place=[[Portland, Oregon]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 14
|debutyear=1997
|debutteam=Cleveland Indians
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 13
|finalyear=2008
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.261
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=306
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=943
|teams=
* [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1997}}–{{mlby|2000}})
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2003}})
* [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2004}})
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2008}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|2008}})
|awards=
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2002]], [[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003]])
* [[Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor]]
}}
'''Richmond Lockwood Sexson''' (born December 29, 1974) is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[first baseman]] who played in [[Major League Baseball]] for the [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]], [[Milwaukee Brewers]], [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], [[Seattle Mariners]], and [[New York Yankees]] from 1997 to 2008. Sexson was a two-time [[MLB All-Star]] and was inducted onto the [[Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor]]. Sexson was also the field manager for the [[Windy City ThunderBolts]] in the West division of the [[Frontier League]] for the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=White Sox legend Bobby Jenks named new ThunderBolts' Field Manager |url=https://wcthunderbolts.com/press-box/press_releases/index.html?article_id=2357 |access-date=30 October 2023 |date=26 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Amateur career==
Sexson was born in [[Portland, Oregon]]. He attended [[Prairie High School (Washington)|Prairie High School]] in [[Brush Prairie, Washington]], and was an All-State performer in baseball, basketball, and [[American football|football]]. He also set the school record for the most [[run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBIs) and [[home run]]s in a career.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

Sexson was offered a scholarship to play both [[college baseball]] and [[college basketball]] for the [[Portland Pilots]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Ted |title=Healthy and home, Sexson back swinging for the fences |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/Healthy-and-home-Sexson-back-swinging-for-the-1170780.php |access-date=28 December 2022 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=13 April 2005 |language=en}}</ref>

==Professional career==

===Cleveland Indians===
The [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]] selected Sexson in the 24th round (671st overall) of the [[1993 Major League Baseball draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=24th Round of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1993&draft_round=24&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round&from_type_jc=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref> He reached the major leagues in late 1997, playing in five games for Cleveland. Sexson had a breakout year in 1999 with 31 home runs, and 116 RBIs in 134 games.

===Milwaukee Brewers===
On July 28, 2000, the Indians traded Sexson to the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] in a seven-player deal to get the Indians a closer and two starting pitchers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 28, 2000|title=Indians trade Sexson to Brewers for Woodard, Sele and Wickman|url=https://assets.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2000/0728/657331.html|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>

In 2001, Sexson hit 45 home runs, which tied the Brewers record set by [[Gorman Thomas]] in 1979. His 178 strikeouts also broke the Brewers record, but this was surpassed the following season by [[José Hernández (infielder)|José Hernández]]. On September 25, 2001, Sexson and teammate [[Jeromy Burnitz]] each hit three home runs in a 9–4 win against the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]. It was the first, and, through the end of the 2024 season, only time that two players hit three home runs in the same game, let alone two teammates. In 2002, Sexson represented the Brewers in the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star Game]] which was played in Milwaukee. In 2003, he played in all 162 games and again tied the Brewers record of 45 home runs while hitting .272 and earning a selection to the [[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003 MLB All-Star Game]]. [[Prince Fielder]] broke Sexson's and Thomas's team record in 2007, hitting 50 home runs.

Sexson was the first of three players in Brewers history to have 100 or more RBIs in three consecutive seasons along with Fielder in 2007–2009 and [[Ryan Braun]] in 2008–10.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wagner|first=Andrew|date=September 13, 2010|title=Sports: Brewers Notebook: Rogers, Kintzler overcome steep odds|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919051002/http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/brewersnotebook091310.html|url=http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/brewersnotebook091310.html|archive-date=September 19, 2010|access-date=September 20, 2010|website=[[OnMilwaukee]]|publisher=}}</ref>

===Arizona Diamondbacks===
In December 2003, the Brewers traded Sexson along with pitcher [[Shane Nance]] and a player to be named later (Noochie Varner) to the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] for [[infielder]]s [[Junior Spivey]], [[Craig Counsell]], [[Lyle Overbay]], [[catcher]] [[Chad Moeller]], and [[pitcher]]s [[Chris Capuano]] and [[Jorge de la Rosa]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 1, 2003|title=Brewers obtain Counsell, Spivey, Overbay|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1675283|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref> On April 26, Sexson hit his 200th career home run an estimated 503 feet off Cubs pitcher [[Francis Beltrán]].<ref>{{Cite web | title=12 years ago: Richie Sexson 1, JumboTron 0 - AZ Snake Pit | url=https://www.azsnakepit.com/2016/4/26/11512944/diamondbacks-richie-sexson-jumbotron | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428103336/http://www.azsnakepit.com/2016/4/26/11512944/diamondbacks-richie-sexson-jumbotron | access-date=2025-08-22 | archive-date=2016-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score: April 26, 2004 {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200404260.shtml | access-date=2025-08-22 | website=www.baseball-reference.com}}</ref> Sexson missed most of the rest of the 2004 season after twice suffering a reverse [[subluxation]] of his left shoulder while attempting to check his swing.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 29, 2004|title=D-Backs put Sexson (shoulder) on 15-day DL|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1792693|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Price|first=Ed|date=May 23, 2004|title=Sexson reinjures shoulder|url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/sports/sexson-reinjures-shoulder/article_0fb84fb9-f79a-5804-98a5-5db0dea3e6d9.html|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[East Valley Tribune]]|language=en}}</ref>

===Seattle Mariners===
Prior to the 2005 season, Sexson signed a four-year contract with the [[Seattle Mariners]] worth $50&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arnold|first=Kirby|date=December 16, 2004|title=Sexson signs contract with M's|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/dec/16/sexson-signs-contract-with-ms/|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[The Spokesman-Review]]}}</ref> Sexson played well in the 2005 season, hitting 39 home runs and 121 RBIs and put up similar numbers the following year, hitting 34 home runs and 107 RBIs. However, Sexson struggled mightily in the 2007 season, batting .205 with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs, and again in the 2008 season, hitting just .218 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs for Seattle.

[[File:Sexson1.jpg|left|upright|thumb|Sexson batting in 2005]]
On May 8, 2008, in a game against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], Sexson [[charging the mound|charged the mound]] towards Rangers [[starting pitcher]] [[Kason Gabbard]] and threw his batting helmet at him after Gabbard threw a head-high pitch over the middle of the plate, to which Sexson reacted as if it had hit him.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=May 9, 2008|title=Mariners' Sexson suspended for charging mound|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3389031|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref> Sexson later stated he was frustrated and had a lot going on in his head, including his son being in the hospital and his club's recent struggles. He was suspended six games for the incident.<ref name=":0" /> He later appealed the suspension, and it was dropped to five games.

On July 10, 2008, Sexson was released by the Mariners.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Baker|first=Geoff|date=July 10, 2008|title=Mariners release Richie Sexson|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-release-richie-sexson/|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[The Seattle Times]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

===New York Yankees===
On July 18, 2008, Sexson signed with the New York Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 18, 2008|title=Yankees sign first baseman Richie Sexson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722095854/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080718&content_id=3147560&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080718&content_id=3147560&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|archive-date=July 22, 2008|access-date=August 10, 2008|work=[[New York Yankees]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> Sexson did well in his Yankee debut, by collecting his first hit as a Yankee in the first inning with a [[Single (baseball)|single]] and also bringing in [[Bobby Abreu]] for the first [[Run (baseball)|run]] that inning. He went 1–3 with one RBI, one [[Base on balls|walk]], and one strikeout.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hoch|first=Bryan|date=July 18, 2008|title=Yanks back from break with a bang|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722055642/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080718&content_id=3147806&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080718&content_id=3147806&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|archive-date=July 22, 2008|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[New York Yankees]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> His only home run (a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]]) as a New York Yankee came on August 5, 2008, against the Texas Rangers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|date=August 6, 2008|title=Late surge not enough for Yankees|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810220545/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080805&content_id=3257097&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080805&content_id=3257097&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|archive-date=August 10, 2008|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=[[New York Yankees]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> Sexson was designated for assignment on August 15, 2008, after batting .250 with one home run in 22 games for New York.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoch|first=Bryan|date=August 15, 2008|title=Yanks demote Melky, cut Sexson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818024908/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313520&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313520&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy|archive-date=August 18, 2008|access-date=March 28, 2019|website=[[New York Yankees]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> He was released on August 24, 2008.

=== Windy City ThunderBolts ===
On October 20, 2022, Sexson was announced as the new field manager of the [[Windy City ThunderBolts]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB All-Star Slugger Richie Sexson Named New Field Manager |url=http://wcthunderbolts.com/press-box/press_releases/index.html?article_id=2217&fbclid=IwAR1_FXPhLCew8ffJ1kt4GLzMEFfR47nz9r9gSHmP0nd_28YTq82ZJMR3JEc |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=wcthunderbolts.com |language=en}}</ref> This was the first professional managerial position for Sexson after coaching at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon. Sexson's first coaching staff hire was Chris Coleman as the third base coach and infield coordinator. He led the team to a 43–52 record (.453 winning percentage), and stepped down from his role at the conclusion of the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Windy City Thunderbolts Club History & Records |url=https://wcthunderbolts.com/team/clubhistoryandrecords/ |access-date=30 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In May 2005, Sexson pleaded guilty in [[Clark County, Washington]], to second degree negligent driving after initially being charged with drunk driving. He was ordered to pay a $538 fine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plea agreement reached in Richie Sexson DUI case |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/plea-agreement-reached-in-richie-sexson-dui-case/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=25 May 2005}}</ref> Since 2014, he has been a baseball coach at Summit High School in [[Bend, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Summit High School athletics page|url=https://www.bend.k12.or.us/summit/student-life/athletics|website=Summit High School}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
{{-}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Richie Sexson}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=122027 |espn=3770|br=s/sexsori01|fangraphs=709|brm=sexson001ric}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box|title=Indians' Minor League Player of the Year<br>(the [[Lou Boudreau]] Award)|years=1995|before=[[David Bell (baseball)|David Bell]]|after=[[Russell Branyan]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sexson, Richie}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:People from Ridgefield, Washington]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:Burlington Indians players (1986–2006)]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Canton-Akron Indians players]]
[[Category:Kinston Indians players]]