By: Dominic Cotroneo
Cody Ransom is a journeyman. As a member of nine teams in eleven years and currently the Chicago Cubs, the Chandler High alum has maintained his place in the big leagues as a super utility man. Ransom has spent most of his 315 games at shortstop, but has seen plenty of time from third and second base.
“Once I became a utility player, I was able to play everywhere. It’s a blessing that teams want you for that,” Ransom said. He does boast a career fielding percentage of .957 which includes a .969 percentage in 147 games at shortstop. “I take it as an opportunity for me to play for 30 different teams and anywhere on the field,” Ransom continued.
Ransom has seen most of his time with the Cubs as a third baseman, though he’s played more games as a shortstop in his career
As the former Wolf has spent time at numerous different positions, he has divided his time just as much with different organizations in baseball. Ransom has played for the Giants, Yankees, Diamondbacks, and the Phillies to name a few of the nine teams. When it comes down to it, “I’m still playing baseball,” he said referring to his constant movement. “You’ve gotta be committed to what you’re doing, you have to have a routine, and you have to work hard no matter where you’re at, and if you continue to do that, everything kind of takes care of itself.”
Ransom spent 64 games in Yankee pinstripes from 2008-2009. He was the first Yankee to hit two home runs in his first two at bats.
Ransom’s route to the big leagues was far from conventional, as he confessed he never knew if he would play baseball after his days at Chandler High. He would make the South Mountain Community College team as a walk-on. After his two years there, he found himself on the Division II Mesa State Mavericks, who made it to the regional round of the NCAA playoffs in 1997. For his senior year, he transferred to Grand Canyon University. While playing for the ‘Lopes, Ransom and his team won the Northern Division title in the WAC. After his time at GCU, he was drafted in the 9th round (278th overall) by San Francisco. “In college you have to be more committed than high school,” Ransom recalled, “once you get drafted it gets harder, you have to work harder and become even more committed than before.” As young players like Patrick Murphy, Cody Bellinger, and Jamie Westbrook take steps toward their big league dreams, Ransom warns, “you think you’ve made it, but that’s where the work begins. Not only do you have to work harder, you have to work smarter as you increase each level.”
Ransom has 8 HR’s this season as a Cub, including one in his first at bat
The 1994 graduate remembers he had a blast back in Chandler at Austin Field, and that, “it’s still baseball, I’m having fun, and I’m very lucky I’m still kicking after all these years.”
