If you are a fan of baseball, you might have heard of the names Nick Hundley and Randy Hundley. Both of them are former professional baseball players who played as catchers in the Major League Baseball (MLB). But are they related to each other? And if so, how?
The Father-Son Duo
The answer is yes, Nick Hundley and Randy Hundley are related. They are father and son, respectively. Nick Hundley is the son of Randy Hundley, who was one of the best catchers of his era and a beloved Chicago Cubs player.
Randy Hundley was born on June 1, 1942, in Martinsville, Virginia. He signed with the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent in 1960 and made his MLB debut in 1964. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1965 and became their starting catcher for the next nine seasons. He was an All-Star in 1969 and a Gold Glove winner in 1967. He also played for the Minnesota Twins and the San Diego Padres before retiring in 1977.
Nick Hundley was born on September 8, 1983, in Corvallis, Oregon. He followed his father’s footsteps and played college baseball at the University of Arizona. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2005 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2008. He also played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Colorado Rockies, the San Francisco Giants, and the Oakland Athletics before retiring in 2019.
The Similarities and Differences
Nick Hundley and Randy Hundley have some similarities and differences in their baseball careers. Both of them were right-handed hitters and throwers who wore number 40 on their jerseys. Both of them also hit for the cycle (a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in one game) during their careers.
However, they also had some differences. Randy Hundley was known for his durability and defense behind the plate. He set a record for most games caught by a rookie (149) in 1966 and most games caught in a season (160) in 1968. He also led the National League catchers in putouts, assists, and fielding percentage several times.
Nick Hundley was more of an offensive catcher who had decent power and speed. He hit 20 home runs in 2010 and stole 15 bases in his career. He also had a higher career batting average (.247) than his father (.236).
The Legacy
Nick Hundley and Randy Hundley are both respected and admired by baseball fans and players alike. They have left a lasting legacy in the sport as one of the few father-son duos who played as catchers in the MLB.
According to Baseball Reference, they are one of only seven pairs of father-son catchers who have played at least one season in the MLB. The others are:
- Ray Schalk and Ron Schalk
- Gus Mancuso and Frank Mancuso
- Ed Bailey and Skeeter Barnes
- Bob Boone and Bret Boone
- Sandy Alomar Sr. and Sandy Alomar Jr.
- Yogi Berra and Dale Berra
Nick Hundley and Randy Hundley have also been involved in various charitable and coaching activities after their retirement. Randy Hundley runs a fantasy baseball camp where fans can play with former Cubs players. Nick Hundley is a special assistant to the general manager for the Texas Rangers.
They are both proud of each other’s achievements and share a strong bond as father and son. They are an example of how baseball can bring families together and inspire generations of players.
