| Kevin Bass | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1959-05-12)May 12, 1959 (age 65) Redwood City, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 9, 1982, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 1995, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .270 |
| Home runs | 118 |
| Runs batted in | 611 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Kevin Charles Bass (born May 12, 1959) is an American former professionalbaseballright fielder who played inMajor League Baseball for theMilwaukee Brewers (1982),Houston Astros (1982–1989, 1993–1994),San Francisco Giants (1990–1992),New York Mets (1992), andBaltimore Orioles (1995).
TheMilwaukee Brewers selected Bass in the second round of the1977 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He made his major league debut on April 9,1982 against theToronto Blue Jays, appearing as apinch hitter and flying out to center field in the eighth inning.[2] Bass spent most of the 1982 season with the Triple-AVancouver Canadians, batting .315 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI in 102 games. On August 30, 1982, he was traded to theHouston Astros withFrank DiPino andMike Madden forDon Sutton.[3] Bass appeared in 30 combined major league games in his first major league season, recording one hit in 33at bats (.030) and scoring sixruns.[4]
Bass became a regular starter for the Astros in1985, batting .269 with 27doubles, fivetriples, 16home runs and 68RBI in 150 games.[4] He had his best season in1986 for an Astros team that narrowly missed aWorld Series appearance. Bass was named to the1986National LeagueAll-Star team, pacing the Astros with a .311 batting average, 20 home runs, 79 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and sterling defensive play.[4] In Game 6 of the epic1986 NLCS, he struck out swinging with men on first and second in the 16th inning, sealing a 7–6 victory for the Mets, allowing them to advance to the1986 World Series.[5]
On August 3,1987, versus theSan Francisco Giants, Bass became the 15thswitch hitter in major league history to hit a home run from each side of the plate in the same game.[6] In1989, Bass hit twogrand slams in the season. The first was a walk-off homer offChicago Cubs closerMitch Williams, turning a 4–4 tie into an 8–4 Astros victory on August 20.[7] The second homer, againstAtlanta Braves relieverMark Eichhorn on September 20, created a tie game that the Astros won in 14 innings.[8]
On November 16, 1989, Bass signed a three-year, $5.25 million contract with theSan Francisco Giants.[9] On May 28,1990, he was placed on thedisabled list with left knee tendinitis.[10] He subsequently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair fractured cartilage in the knee, and was expected to miss three months.[11] Bass made his return to the Giants' lineup on September 5.[12] He hit .252 with seven home runs and 32 RBI in his first season as a Giant.[4] In1991, Bass batted .233 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI while playing in 124 games.[4]
On August 8,1992, Bass was traded to theNew York Mets in exchange for aplayer to be named later (Rob Katzaroff).[13][4] He batted a combined .269 with 23 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 39 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 135 games with the Giants and Mets.[4]
Bass signed a one-year, $500,000 contract to return to the Houston Astros on January 6,1993.[14] In 111 games, he hit .284 with three home runs and 37 RBI. On December 7, 1993, he re-signed with the Astros, and hit .310 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 82 games during the strike-shortened1994 season.[4]
Days prior to the1995 season, Bass signed with theBaltimore Orioles on April 18.[4] He hit .244 with five home runs and 32 RBI in 111 games.[4] Bass played his final MLB game on October 1, 1995, finishing 1-for-2 with a walk in a 4–0 win over theDetroit Tigers.[15]
In 1571 games over 14 seasons, Bass posted a .270batting average (1,308-for-4,839) with 609 runs, 248 doubles, 40 triples, 118 home runs, 611 RBI, 151 stolen bases, 357base on balls, .323on-base percentage and .411slugging percentage. He recorded a .982fielding percentage at all three outfield positions.[4]
Born inRedwood City, California, Bass attendedMenlo School before being drafted.[1] His favorite team growing up was theSan Francisco Giants.[9]
Two of Kevin's sons were selected in the2007 MLB draft. Garrett (Jacksonville State University) was selected by theWashington Nationals in the 42nd round (1,249th overall) and played a couple of seasons in their organization before spending time in the independent minor leagues.[16] Justin (Clements High School) was taken by theLos Angeles Angels in the 21st round (658th overall) and spent several seasons in Rookie and A League baseball.[17]
Bass is a cousin of former American football playerJames Lofton. Bass is also the nephew of the lateStan Johnson, a former professional baseball player who played for the White Sox and the Athletics organizations.
| Preceded by | National League Player of the Month June, 1986 | Succeeded by |