A right-handed pitcher, Simpson had a seven-year (1948–1954) career, which included a full, 1953 season in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs.

He attended Notre Dame but after only one semester, joined the United States Army in 1945 during the waning days of World War II.

[1] After completing his military service, Simpson enrolled at Ohio State before joining the professional baseball ranks.

In 1953, Simpson made the Cubs' MLB roster coming out of spring training and remained a member of their pitching staff all season, working in 30 games, 29 in relief.

Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Cub slugger Ralph Kiner hit a three-run walk-off home run against his old Pirate mates to give Simpson the 8–7 win.