Scott Bailes

Former Major League Baseball player

What is Scott Bailes known for?

Scott Alan Bailes, born on December 18, 1961, is an esteemed alumnus of Chillicothe High School, OH, and a former professional baseball pitcher. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Bailes went on to grace the Major League Baseball (MLB) with his exceptional talent, playing for three teams over a nine-year career.

Bailes stepped into the professional world of baseball being drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1982. However, he started his career at the MLB level with the Cleveland Indians in 1986 and remained with them until 1989. His MLB debut was impressive, securing his first win after relieving Don Schulze in the fourth inning and pitching over five scoreless innings, contributing significantly to an 8–2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Bailes carved a niche for himself, setting a record for the most relief wins by an Indian rookie with 8, while also acquiring 7 saves over 62 games in his rookie season.

Lending his expertise to multiple teams, Bailes played for the California Angels from 1990 to 1992, after which he experienced some ups and downs in his career, including being released by the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. Despite these setbacks, he refused to step away from the game. After spending some time in the business field and playing for a semi-pro league in Springfield, Missouri, Bailes attempted a comeback with the Texas Rangers in 1997.

On his comeback, Bailes spent most of the 1997 season within the Texas Rangers' farm system before being called up in early August. He made his first major league appearance in over four seasons on August 8, pitching 0.2 innings against the New York Yankees. His MLB journey ended with his last appearance for the Texas Rangers in September 1998.

Reflecting on his career stats, Bailes recorded a win-loss record of 39–44, an earned run average (ERA) of 4.95, and 351 strikeouts. He proved his versatility on the field, adapting to roles as a starter, reliever, and closer, demonstrating resilience and dedication throughout his career.

You can find more about Scott Bailes on his Baseball-Reference.com page or the MLB official website.