TAFT, CA – The Taft College Athletic Department is proud to announce the retirement jersey ceremony in honor of Allan Simpson. Allan Simpson is no stranger to Cougar Country as he was a former and successful student and athlete. Simpson has been inducted into the Taft College Hall of Fame as well.
Simpson attracted my professional baseball scouts to Taft College to see if he was the real deal. Well obviously, he was, and during his time at Taft from 1995-1997, he was considered one of the best pitchers in the state of California. Simpson was an 8th draft pick out of Taft College by the Seattle Mariners in 1997. After spending 7 years in the Seattle organization, he was traded to Colorado in January 2003. On May 17, 2004 he made his MLB debut for the Colorado Rockies. During his MLB career, he played for the Colorado Rockies (2004-05), Cincinnati Reds (2005) and Milwaukee Brewers (2006).
Aside from his standout collegiate and professional baseball career at Taft College and in Major League Baseball, his presence will be made on the Cougar Baseball Field on Friday, March 1. Prior to the game, Simpson will take the field, along with the Taft College Athletic Department Staff to officially retire his jersey and make his presence felt again to all Cougar fans. Following the ceremony, the Taft Baseball Team will host Antelope Valley College for a 1:00 pm game time.