1976 Topps #338 - Bob Bailey

• Bob Bailey played in the major leagues from 1962-1978. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961. He didn't do much as an 18-year-old minor leaguer in 1961, but in 1962 Bob batted .299 with 28 home runs. Bailey was brought up to the Pirates at the end of the 1962 season and batted .167 in 42 at bats. He apparently got a $175,000 bonus to sign with the Pirates.

• Bailey was the starting third baseman for the Pirates in 1963. He batted .228 with 12 HR and 45 RBI in 154 games. Bob wasn't exactly known for his fielding -- he made 32 errors and had a .933 fielding percentage. In 1964 Bailey played in 105 games at third and 36 games in the outfield. He batted .281 with 11 HR and 51 RBI.

• Bob was the regular third baseman again in 1965. His fielding wasn't all that great (.939 fielding percentage), and this would be his last season as the regular at third base for the Pirates. Bailey batted .256 with 11 HR and 49 RBI in 159 games.

• Bailey split time between third base and the outfield in 1966. He batted .279 with 13 HR and 46 RBI for the Pirates in '66. After the 1966 season Bailey and Gene Michael were traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Maury Wills.

• In 1967 Bailey started about half of the time at third base and subbed in the outfield and at first base the rest of the time. He slumped to a .227 average and homered only four times in 116 games. Bob repeated his .227 average in 1968 and hit 8 HR in 105 games. After the 1968 season Bailey was purchased by the expansion Montreal Expos.

• The move to Montreal was a good one for Bailey. He credits Gene Mauch with helping him become a good player. In 1969 he batted .265 with 9 HR and 53 RBI in 111 games. He spent most of his time at first base in '69. Bob's best season was probably 1970. He batted .287 with 28 HR and 84 RBI in 131 games. He split his time between third base, the outfield, and first base.

• Bob spent the next three seasons as the starting third baseman for Montreal. He batted .251 with 14 HR and 83 RBI in 1971. In 1972 Bailey slipped to .233 with 16 homers and 57 RBI.

• Bailey's 1973 season was almost as good as 1971. He batted .273 with 26 HR and 86 RBI in his last season as the regular third baseman. Bob split his time between left field and third base in 1974. He batted .280 with 20 HR and 73 RBI. In 1975 Bailey was more of a bench player. He played in 106 games and batted .273 with 5 HR in 227 at bats. After the 1975 season Bailey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Clay Kirby.

• The 1976 Reds were loaded so Bailey didn't have much of an opportunity to play. He batted .298 in 124 at bats as a backup left fielder and third baseman. He wasn't used in the postseason in 1976. Bailey started the 1977 season with the Reds and batted .253 in 79 at bats. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox on September 19 for a minor leaguer and cash. Bob was hitless in two at bats for the Red Sox to finish the 1977 season.

• Bailey's last season was 1978. He batted .191 in 94 at bats, mostly as a designated hitter and pinch hitter. Bob retired after the 1978 season.

• Bob started managing in the minor leagues in 1979 and spent most of the 1980s managing at various levels. Bailey was the last-ever manager of the Hawaii Islanders in 1987. Bob also spent several seasons as a minor league hitting instructor. He now works for a company selling timeshares. Here is an article featuring Bailey looking back at his career.

• Liked to face: Mike Cuellar (.471 in 34 AB); Fred Norman (.450 in 40 AB); Curt Simmons (.367 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Dock Ellis (.000 in 20 AB); Mike McCormick (.043 in 23 AB); Gaylord Perry (.115 in 61 AB)