| Bobby Scales | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Scales with the Orix Buffaloes | |
| Left fielder /Third baseman /Second baseman | |
| Born: (1977-10-04)October 4, 1977 (age 48) Southfield, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 5, 2009, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| NPB: July 7, 2011, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: October 3, 2010, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| NPB: September 26, 2012, for the Orix Buffaloes | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .248 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 17 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .262 |
| Home runs | 14 |
| Runs batted in | 53 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Bobby Leon Scales (born October 4, 1977) is an American former professionalbaseballsecond baseman. Aswitch hitter who throwsright-handed, Scales played for theUniversity of Michigan and was selected by theSan Diego Padres in the 14th round (442nd overall) of the1999 MLB draft. While at Michigan, he played for theCorvallis Knights in theWest Coast League, an independent summer collegiate league.[1] He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago Cubs and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and theOrix Buffaloes.
Within three years of being drafted by the Padres organization, Scales was discouraged from lack of play and even planned to quit; but infield coach Tony Franklin talked him into staying.[2] That same season whenBernie Castro, the top prospect starting ahead of Scales got injured, he finally got his chance to start.[2] Signed by thePhiladelphia Phillies to a minor league contract on January 11, 2006, Scales played the 2006 season with theScranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. TheBoston Red Sox organization signed him to a minor league contract on December 20, 2006, and invited him to participate in the Red Sox' 2007spring training.[3]
In2008, Scales played for theChicago Cubs organization and became a free agent at the end of the season. In January2009, he re-signed with the Cubs.
He was called up to the Cubs major league team on May 4, 2009, afterstarting pitcherCarlos Zambrano was put on the 15-daydisabled list. He made his Major League debut, starting atsecond base, at the age of 31 on May 5 against theSan Francisco Giants, a game in which he recorded his first Major League hit againstTim Lincecum, winner of the 2008 National LeagueCy Young Award.[4] He scored his first Major League run later that inning whenSean Marshall singled.[5] On May 8, Scales hit his first Major League triple off ofDave Bush.[6] On May 12, Scales hit his first major league home run off ofEdwin Moreno of theSan Diego Padres.[7] On May 14, to further his case to stay in the bigs, Scales hit two doubles while driving in four runs in the Cubs' win over theSan Diego Padres.[8] He recorded a six-game hit streak immediately after being called up, but that streak was lost on May 16.[9] However, that same game, Scales scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning against theHouston Astros.[10] On May 27,Aaron Miles was placed on the DL, and the team needed someone who could play backup shortstop, causing Scales to be sent down to the Triple-AIowa Cubs.[11] The next day, May 28, Scales was recalled from Iowa due toRyan Freel being placed on the disabled list.[12] Scales then went on to hit a pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the 8th offLos Angeles Dodgers pitcherRandy Wolf.
On November 22, 2010, Scales re-signed with the Cubs organization on a minor league contract.[13] He played in 68 games for Iowa in 2011, slashing .304/.424/.535 with nine home runs, 43 RBI, and five stolen bases.
Scales signed with theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ofNippon Professional Baseball in Japan on June 27, 2011.[14]
On January 27, 2012, Scales signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
After leaving the Cubs, Scales signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets on April 1. On May 12 he was released by the Mets.[15]
After his departure from the Mets organization he signed with theOrix Buffaloes.
On November 9, 2012, Scales was hired to be theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim' director of player development.[16]
Scales was hired by thePittsburgh Pirates to be the organization's assistant fielding coordinator in 2019.
In 2023, Scales was hired as a part-time analyst for road games on theDetroit Tigers Radio Network.[17]
Bobby's wife Monica has a doctorate in health communication.[18] In 2005 Scales was named thePortland Beavers Community Player of the Year which highlighted the time and effort he put into helping the greater Portland community.[19] He also is a substitute teacher atMilton High School inMilton, Georgia during the offseason.[20]
· Baseball Almanac