| Homer Bailey | |
|---|---|
 Bailey with the Cincinnati Reds in 2011 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-05-03)May 3, 1986 (age 39) La Grange, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 8, 2007, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 22, 2020, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 81–86 |
| Earned run average | 4.56 |
| Strikeouts | 1,157 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
David Dewitt "Homer"Bailey Jr. (born May 3, 1986) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCincinnati Reds from 2007 through 2018, theKansas City Royals andOakland Athletics in 2019, and theMinnesota Twins in 2020.
The Reds selected Bailey in the first round (seventh overall) of the2004 MLB draft. Prior to the 2007 season, bothBaseball America andBaseball Prospectus named Bailey the topprospect in the Reds'farm system.[1][2] Because of his success at the minor league level, Bailey's debut was highly anticipated when he wascalled up to the major league level in June 2007.[3] He made his major league debut on June 8, 2007, against theCleveland Indians. At the time of his debut, Bailey was the youngest player in theNational League. Bailey pitched twono-hitters in his career. On February 19, 2014, Bailey signed a six-year, $105 million contract with the Reds.[4]
Bailey, nicknamed "Homer" after his great-grandfather,[5] attendedLa Grange High School inLa Grange, Texas. During La Grange's 2004baseballseason, Baileywon 15 games andlost none. Additionally, he had a 0.68earned run average (ERA) and 201strikeouts in92+2⁄3innings pitched. That year,USA Today, named Bailey as a member of theUSA Today All-USA high school baseball team and their High School National Player of the Year.[6] Bailey completed his high school career with 41 wins, 4 losses, a 0.98 ERA, and 536 strikeouts in 298 innings pitched. In 2004, the Cincinnati Reds selected Bailey with the seventh pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.
In 2004, Bailey made his professional debut with theGulf Coast Reds, aRookie Class franchise in theGulf Coast League. That season, Bailey appeared in six games, started three, and lost his only decision for the GCL Reds.
In 2005, the Reds promoted Bailey to theDayton Dragons, the Reds' Class A franchise in theMidwest League. Bailey appeared in 28 games that season and compiled a record of 8–4. After the season, Baseball America named Bailey as the second-best prospect in the Midwest League.[7]
In 2006, the Reds promoted Bailey to theSarasota Reds, their Advanced Class-A franchise in theFlorida State League. Although he won just three games and lost five, Baseball America named him as the best prospect in the Florida State League.[8] After 13 appearances, the Reds promoted Bailey to theChattanooga Lookouts, their affiliate in the Double-ASouthern League.
While atChattanooga, Bailey put up the best statistics of his minor league career. He won seven games, lost just one, and had a 1.59 ERA in 13 games. Additionally, in 68 innings, he struck out 77batters. As a result, Bailey averaged in excess of 10 strikeouts per nine innings while with each of his last three minor league teams.
In 2007, Bailey appeared in threespring training games for the Reds. He lost his only decision and had a 19.64 ERA when the Reds sent him to their minor league camp on March 16. He started the regular season with theLouisville Bats, the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in theInternational League. Bailey was touted as the best prospect in the Reds farm system, and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. In early June 2007, the Reds called up Bailey to make his debut against the Cleveland Indians.
On June 8, 2007, Bailey made his major-league debut as the starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds in their home game atGreat American Ball Park, aninterleague game against the Cleveland Indians. In that game, Bailey pitched five innings, allowing tworuns on fivehits and fourwalks with three strikeouts, and qualifying for the win. On July 8, 2007, the Reds sent Bailey down to Triple-A Louisville.[9] On September 20, 2007, Bailey returned to the Reds to pitch5+2⁄3 innings against theGiants. Bailey gave up one run on three hits and a walk, while striking out three for his third win of the season. In nine starts, Bailey finished 2007 in the majors 4–2 with a 5.67 ERA.
On March 26, 2008, the Reds optioned Bailey to Louisville to start the season.[10] On June 5, 2008, Bailey was called up to join the Reds' rotation. On June 18, 2008, the Reds optioned Bailey back to Louisville after he went 0–3 with an 8.76 ERA in his three starts and called upDaryl Thompson[11] On July 11, 2008, Bailey returned to the Reds, to pitch against theMilwaukee Brewers, replacing the injuredAaron Harang. In eight starts, Bailey went 0–6 with a 7.93 ERA to close out the 2008 season in the majors.
Bailey began the 2009 season with theTriple-ALouisville Bats after failing to earn a spot on the Reds' roster.[12]
On May 23, 2009, Bailey made a spot start for the Reds. Regardless of his performance, he was going to be sent back down to Triple-A Louisville.[citation needed] After being sent back down Bailey shut down Triple-A hitters, holding hitters to an ERA well below 2.00 over his next six starts. On June 27, Bailey was recalled and again faced the Cleveland Indians. Despite walking seven batters Bailey picked up the win. One start later Bailey shut down the St. Louis Cardinals for 7.1 innings. The two runs charged to Bailey were a result of a grand-slam given up by relieverDavid Weathers.
Being considered a "can't miss prospect", Bailey's first two seasons with the Reds were seen as disappointing, and the 2009 season did not start off much better. As the season progressed, however, Bailey began to be more effective, allowing three runs or less in his final nine starts. He finished the 2009 season with a 4.53ERA in113+1⁄3 innings.
Bailey made the Reds out of spring training in 2010.[13] He ended up on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation in May.[14][15] During his rehabilitation, the Reds considered moving Bailey to the bullpen[16] but after a solid start against theFlorida Marlins, the Reds chose to moveMike Leake to the bullpen to keep Bailey in the rotation.[17] Bailey finished the 2010 year going 4–3 with a 4.46 ERA in 19 starts.
In 2011, Bailey made 22 starts going 9–7 with a 4.43 ERA.
On September 28, 2012, Bailey pitched the firstno-hitter atPNC Park, and the 15th in Reds history, in a 1–0 road victory over thePittsburgh Pirates.[18] Bailey struck out ten on 115 pitches, allowing only one walk toAndrew McCutchen in the seventh, while Pirates shortstopClint Barmes reached first base on an error by Reds third basemanScott Rolen in the third inning. The game was the first no-hitter for the Reds sinceTom Browning's perfect game on September 16, 1988, and the first thrown against the Pirates sinceBob Gibson on August 14, 1971.[19] Bailey finished the 2012 season pitching 208 innings with 168 strikeouts, a 13–10 record, and a 3.68 ERA.
On July 2, 2013, Bailey pitched a 3–0 no-hitter against theSan Francisco Giants atGreat American Ball Park, bestingTim Lincecum—himself a no-hit pitcher only eleven days later.[20] It was the third time in history, and the first time sinceNolan Ryan did it in 1974–75, that the same pitcher had the final no-hitter of one season and the first no-hitter of the following season. It was also the seventh time in history, and again the first time since Nolan Ryan in 1975, that two no-hitters in a row were accredited to the same pitcher.[21] Bailey was perfect through six innings when he walkedGregor Blanco with a full count in the seventh. He retired the next nine batters in order, missing a perfect game by only that one pitch. Later in that inning, Bailey was bailed out byJoey Votto whenBuster Posey hit a sharp ground ball to first. Bailey was late to cover first where Posey most likely would have been safe. Votto realizing this, threw the ball to third where he gotGregor Blanco. Had Blanco made it to third, Posey would have gotten a hit when the play ended up being a fielder's choice. Bailey became the third Reds pitcher, along withJim Maloney andJohnny Vander Meer (who'd done it in consecutive starts), to have more than one career no-hitter.[21] Bailey finished the 2013 year going 11–12 with a 3.49 ERA, 199 strikeouts in 209 innings pitched.
Notably, Bailey threw his no-hitter in the MLB Network Showcase game, with Reds legend Sean Casey in the booth.
Bailey's 2014 season was injury-shortened, as he was diagnosed with arm fatigue, and finished the year 9–5 with a 3.71 ERA.
Still dealing with forearm fatigue, Bailey began the 2015 season on the disabled list. On May 1, 2015, it was revealed that his right elbow was diagnosed with a torn UCL, requiringTommy John surgery, and it prematurely ended his 2015 season.[22]
Bailey's return to the Reds was purposefully stalled after he felt pain during a rehab stint at the Reds' AA affiliate in Pensacola.[23] After many setbacks and rehabilitation, Bailey made his return to the mound for the Reds on July 31, more than a year since his last start.
On February 8, 2017, Bailey underwent surgery on his right elbow to remove bone spurs. Recovery time required four to six weeks.[24] He made his season debut on June 24 pitching1+2⁄3 innings and allowing eight runs. Bailey finished the season with a 6.43 ERA in 18 starts.
Bailey began 1–7 the 2018 season with an ERA of 6.68 in 12 starts before being placed on the disabled list with right knee inflammation.[25] On September 7, 2018, Bailey was removed from the rotation after nine straight losses; his record on the season was 1–14 at that point and he had an ERA of 6.09 in 20 starts.[26]
On December 21, 2018, the Reds traded Bailey to theLos Angeles Dodgers withJeter Downs andJosiah Gray forMatt Kemp,Yasiel Puig,Alex Wood,Kyle Farmer, and cash considerations.[27] The Dodgers released Bailey the same day.[28]
On February 9, 2019, Bailey signed a minor-league contract with theKansas City Royals that included an invitation to spring training.[29] Bailey made the team and had his contract selected on April 3.
On July 14, 2019, Bailey was traded to theOakland Athletics for minor-league infielder Kevin Merrell.[30] He became a free agent at the end of the season.
On December 31, 2019, Bailey signed a one-year contract with theMinnesota Twins.[31] On July 28, 2020, Bailey made his Twins debut, earning his first victory over the Cardinals.[32] Days after being activated from an IL stint, Bailey was designated for assignment by the Twins on September 25.[33] He was released on September 26.
On June 22, 2021, Bailey signed a minor league contract with theOakland Athletics organization. He was assigned to the Triple-ALas Vegas Aviators to begin the year.[34] In 15 starts split between Las Vegas and the rookie-levelArizona Complex League Athletics and Las Vegas, Bailey struggled to a 2–8 record and 7.39 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 56 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[35]
In May 2021, Bailey was named to the roster of theUnited States national baseball team for theAmericas Qualifying Event.[36]
Bailey had afour-seam fastball, and atwo-seam fastball, in the 93–96 mph range. He threw threebreaking balls; aslider, acurveball, and asplitter.[37]
In 2008, Homer Bailey released a charity wine called "Homer Bailey's Chardonnay" with 100% of his proceeds supporting Outdoors Without Limits, an organization committed to help reduce the barriers that prevent disabled people from enjoying the outdoors.[38]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Félix Hernández Himself | No-hitter pitcher September 28, 2012 July 2, 2013 | Succeeded by Himself Tim Lincecum |
