Ted Simmons

Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ted Simmons reads his plaque before Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at Ballpark Village in St. Louis on August 15, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The National Baseball Hall of Fame is postponing this year’s induction ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Hall announced Wednesday that the July 26th induction ceremony will not be held and will instead be included during next year’s festivities.

That means former Milwaukee Brewer Ted Simmons will have to wait a year, as well as Larry Walker and Derek Jeter.

Simmons debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 and was traded to the Brewers after the 1980 season. He helped Milwaukee reach the playoffs in 1981 and advance to the World Series the following year. Simmons hit two home runs in that 1982 World Series but the Brewers lost to his former Cardinals team in a seven-game thriller.

Simmons finished his p laying career from 1986-88 as a part-timer with the Atlanta Braves, then served as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the early 1990’s.

Simmons final playing totals included a .285 batting average, 2.472 hits, 483 doubles, 248 home runs and 1,389 RBI. Among those players who played at least 50% of their games at catcher, Simmons ranks second in his, second in doubles, second in RBI and fifth in runs.

Milwaukee Brewers Hernan Perez, Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana celebrate a 7-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 1, 2017. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The Milwaukee Brewers added to their outfield depth by signing Keon Broxton to a minor league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training.

Broxton played three seasons for the Brewers before being traded to the New York Mets in January 2019. In 269 games with the Brewers, Broxton batted .222 with 33 homers, 79 RBI and 49 stolen bases.

Broxton played in 34 games with the Mets last season before trading him to the Baltimore Orioles. He was waived in late July and signed and signed by the Seattle Mariners.

Broxton had 228 plate appearances for the three teams combined, hitting just .167 with six homers, 16 RBI and 104 strikeouts.

Guerra signs with Diamondbacks

Veteran right-handed pitcher Junior Guerra, who was non-tendered by the Brewers, agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $2.55 million with a club option for 2021.

Guerra went 9-5 with a 3.55 ERA in a career-high 72 appearances for the Brewers last season. Overall, Guerra went 25-21 with a 3.78 ERA in 144 appearances with the Brewers, including 60 starts.

Simmons elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

Former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Ted Simmons was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday. He joins former union leader Marvin Miller.

Simmons was an eight-time all-star during a 21-year career. He hit .285 with 248 homers and 1,389 RBI for St. Louis, Milwaukee and Atlanta.