Bob Bailey (American Major League Baseball third baseman)

Career overview

Bailey made his major league debut in the early 1960s and went on to appear for several clubs over a long career. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, the Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Red Sox. His time in the majors spanned seventeen seasons, during which he was primarily known as a third baseman and a dependable everyday player.

Role and playing style

Bailey was primarily a third baseman, a position that requires quick reactions, a strong arm, and steady fielding. He was a right-handed batter and took on a lineup role that combined run production and defensive responsibility. Teammates and opponents typically described him as a professional who brought consistency to the infield.

Notable transactions and teams

• Signed and developed with the organization that brought him to the majors and spent the first portion of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• After the 1966 season, the Pirates traded Bailey along with Gene Michael to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deal that sent veteran shortstop Maury Wills to Pittsburgh.
• Later in his career he joined the expansion-era Montreal Expos and also had stints with the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox, adding veteran depth and experience to each club.

Legacy and later life

While Bailey was not defined by a single headline moment, his longevity in professional baseball and his regular place on major league rosters speak to his value as a reliable position player during the 1960s and 1970s. He remained connected to the game’s community of former players and fans after his retirement.

Bailey was born in Long Beach, California, and his career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball history, when the sport expanded and player movement by trade became more commonplace. He played during the era of Major League Baseball often referred to simply as MLB.

Bob Bailey died on January 9, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 75. For more information on his career, statistics and tributes, consult period accounts and team histories listed in general baseball reference sources and archives (player profile, position overview, Long Beach local records, California archives, MLB historical resources).