Chris Bando – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Christopher Michael Bando put together a solid nine-year run in Major League Baseball before he finally hung up his cleats in 1989. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, back in 1956, Bando spent most of his pro career as a backup catcher, mainly with his hometown Cleveland Indians.

He retired from pro baseball on October 1, 1989, after his last game with the Oakland Athletics. That wrapped up a career that ran from 1981 to 1989.

People in the majors knew Bando as a steady defensive catcher who managed pitching staffs well. He played for three teams: the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Oakland Athletics. Each team got to rely on his calm presence behind the plate.

His best year at the plate came in 1984. That season, he hit .291 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.

This look at Bando’s career traces his journey from Arizona State University, through the minors, and on to his time in the big leagues. We’ll dig into his playing style, career highlights, and his transition into coaching after he stepped away from the field.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Chris Bando was born on February 4, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in a baseball family that ended up producing two major league players.

His road to pro baseball started with strong family support and continued with a standout college career at Arizona State University.

Family Background and Sal Bando

Baseball was the heartbeat of the Bando household. Chris’s older brother, Sal Bando, had already made his mark as a star third baseman in the majors.

Sal spent 16 seasons in MLB from 1966 to 1981. He played a key role for the Oakland Athletics dynasty in the early ’70s.

Sal captained the A’s and helped them win three straight World Series titles from 1972 to 1974. His success gave Chris a front-row seat to the work ethic and commitment it takes to make it in pro baseball.

Having Sal as a brother meant Chris got an early education in the ups and downs of professional sports. That family tie definitely shaped Chris’s own baseball dreams.

High School and Youth Baseball

Chris honed his baseball skills as a teenager in Cleveland. He played catcher, a position that would define his whole pro career.

College scouts noticed his leadership and abilities behind the plate. Chris stood out as both a defensive player and a hitter during his high school days.

Growing up in the competitive Cleveland baseball scene helped Chris get ready for the next level. His high school performance opened the door to play college ball.

Arizona State University

Chris went on to Arizona State University, which is one of the top college baseball programs anywhere. The Sun Devils have a long history of turning out big league talent.

At Arizona State, Chris stayed behind the plate and sharpened his skills with help from top coaches. The environment was competitive and focused on player development.

He played for the Sun Devils in the late 1970s. The team was always in the mix at the top of college baseball during his years there.

Arizona State gave Chris the training and competition he needed to get ready for pro ball. The coaches there helped him build the fundamentals that stuck with him throughout his career.

Men’s College World Series Champion

Chris was part of an Arizona State squad that won the Men’s College World Series. That championship is the high point of college baseball.

The Sun Devils’ title run put Chris in the national spotlight. Playing at that level gave him valuable experience in big moments.

Winning the NCAA championship helped establish Chris as a real pro prospect. The exposure from the tournament probably boosted his draft stock.

Those championship moments taught Chris about team success and what it takes to compete at the top. He carried those lessons into his pro career.

That college success set Chris up for the 1978 MLB draft. The Cleveland Indians picked him in the second round.

Draft and Minor League Journey

Chris Bando started his path to the majors with two different draft picks from MLB teams. He spent time developing in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system, showing steady improvement and breaking out in 1980 with a season that got him promoted to Triple-A.

Draft Selections and Signing

The Milwaukee Brewers picked Chris Bando in the 22nd round of the 1977 MLB June Amateur Draft. He decided not to sign and went back to Arizona State for his senior year.

The Cleveland Indians drafted him in 1978, this time in the 2nd round, 36th overall. That higher pick showed how much he’d grown at Arizona State. The Indians signed him, making their investment pay off.

At 22, Bando entered the Indians’ system. His switch-hitting and defensive skills behind the plate made him a prospect worth watching.

Chattanooga Lookouts Years

Bando spent three seasons with the Chattanooga Lookouts, Cleveland’s Double-A team in the Southern League. He made solid progress there as a hitter and pro.

He played 76 games in his first pro season in 1978, hitting .228 with 4 home runs and 21 RBIs while adjusting to pro pitching. The next year, he only played 21 games for various reasons.

Then came 1980, Bando’s breakout year. He played 121 games, hit .349, smacked 12 home runs, and drove in 73 runs. His .971 OPS really showed his offensive growth.

That big year at Chattanooga got him noticed in the Indians’ organization. The jump from his first season showed he was putting in the work to get better at the plate.

Charleston Charlies Tenure

After Chattanooga, Bando earned a promotion to the Charleston Charlies, Cleveland’s Triple-A team, for the 1981 season. This was the last stop before the majors.

He played 96 games at Charleston and kept up his offensive production. He hit .306 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs, facing the toughest minor league pitching. His .879 OPS proved he could handle Triple-A.

At 25, Bando’s performance convinced the Indians he was ready for the big leagues. His defense and switch-hitting made him a valuable addition.

His time at Charleston was short but impressive. The Indians called him up to the majors later that 1981 season, finishing his climb through the minors.

Major League Career Highlights

Chris Bando’s MLB career lasted nine seasons, from 1981 to 1989. He spent most of that time as a backup catcher for the Cleveland Indians. His best year was 1984, when he hit .291 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. He finished his career with short stints in Detroit and Oakland.

Cleveland Indians Period

Bando debuted in the majors on August 13, 1981, for the Cleveland Indians at age 25. He played 21 games that year, hitting .213 with 10 hits in 47 at-bats.

In 1982, his first full season, he played 66 games as a backup catcher. He hit .212 with 39 hits in 184 at-bats.

His biggest season came in 1984. Bando hit .291 in 75 games, collecting 64 hits, 12 home runs, and 41 RBIs—career highs across the board.

He struggled in 1985, dropping to a .139 average in 73 games. He had just 24 hits in 173 at-bats and didn’t hit a single home run.

Bando bounced back in 1986, hitting .268 over 92 games. He picked up 68 hits and drove in 26 runs, again working as Cleveland’s main backup catcher.

His last solid year with Cleveland was 1987. Bando played 89 games and hit .218 with 46 hits, 5 home runs, and 16 RBIs.

Detroit Tigers Stint

The Detroit Tigers picked up Bando during the 1988 season. His time with Detroit was really brief.

He appeared in just one game and didn’t get an at-bat. The Tigers mainly used him as extra depth, just in case they needed an emergency catcher.

Oakland Athletics and Final MLB Game

Bando joined the Oakland Athletics for the 1989 season. That gave him one last shot at playing in the majors.

He played his final MLB game on October 1, 1989, facing the Kansas City Royals. Bando went 1-for-2 with an RBI in that last game.

The A’s used Bando sparingly during their 1989 run. He only played one game for Oakland, but he brought experience to the clubhouse.

His career wrapped up with a .227 batting average over 498 games. Bando finished with 292 hits, 27 home runs, and 142 RBIs across nine seasons.

Playing Style and Achievements

Chris Bando built a reputation as a reliable defensive catcher with a .227 career average and a strong arm. His best offensive year came in 1984, when he hit .291 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs in 75 games.

Overall Batting Metrics

Over nine years, Bando put up steady but modest offensive numbers. He ended with a .227 average in 498 games, collecting 292 hits.

His power numbers were consistent. Bando hit 27 home runs and added 46 doubles. He drove in 142 runs and scored 134 times.

Career Batting Statistics:

• Games: 498
• Hits: 292
• Doubles: 46
• Home Runs: 27
• RBIs: 142

That 1984 season was his high point. He hit .291 with 12 homers and 11 doubles in 75 games.

Bando had trouble with consistency at the plate. In 1985, his average dropped to .139. That kind of up-and-down performance followed him through his career.

Notable Defensive Skills

Behind the plate, Bando showed solid defensive instincts. He kept a .988 fielding percentage through his career. His strong arm helped him control base runners.

Bando threw out 34% of runners who tried to steal. That number showed off his quick release and accuracy. In 1987, he caught 33% of attempted steals in his busiest season.

Defense was really his calling card. Bando caught 86 games in 1987 as Cleveland’s main catcher. He worked well with pitching staffs and called solid games.

He could also play first base, third base, and fill in as a designated hitter. That versatility added to his value.

Key Games and Milestones

Bando’s 1984 season was his best. In 75 games, he put up career-high numbers in average, home runs, and RBIs. He showed he could handle regular playing time.

His 1987 campaign was another big moment. He caught 86 games, the most in a single season for him. Even though his average was just .218, Cleveland trusted him behind the plate.

Late in his career, he had short stints with teams in contention. Detroit picked him up after Cleveland let him go in August 1988. He played just one game for the Tigers.

He finished up with Oakland in 1989, playing one game for the World Series champs. That brief appearance put the final touch on his nine-year big league career.

Post-Playing Career and Coaching

After retiring in 1989, Chris Bando moved into baseball management and coaching. He spent years working in minor league management, pro coaching, and international baseball development for several organizations.

Milwaukee Brewers Coaching Role

Bando joined the Milwaukee Brewers as a major league coach from 1996 to 1998. This job meant a lot, since his brother Sal Bando was the team’s General Manager at the time.

He brought his catching know-how to the big leagues and worked hands-on with major league players. He shared what he’d learned from his years with the Indians, Tigers, and Athletics.

After three years as a coach, Bando stayed with the Brewers in 1999 and took on a scouting role. He scouted amateur and pro talent, hoping to find the next big thing for the team.

Minor League and Independent Team Management

Bando started managing in 1990 with the Stockton Ports in the California League. That first year, he led the team to an 82-59 record and a League Championship.

He returned to manage Stockton in 1991, then moved on to the El Paso Diablos in the Texas League for 1992. From 1993 to 1995, he managed the New Orleans Zephyrs in the American Association.

Later, he managed the Aiken Foxhounds in the South Coast League in 2007. In 2012, he took the helm of the Washington Wild Things in the Frontier League.

Most recently, Bando managed the Texas AirHogs in the American Association in 2019. The team struggled to a 28-72 record, but he kept working to develop players.

International Baseball League of Australia

In 2000, Bando took on a new challenge as Director of Coaching, Player Development, and Manager of the International Baseball League of Australia. This job was probably his most wide-ranging development role in baseball.

The league gave him a chance to help baseball grow outside the United States. He oversaw player development programs and ran the league’s day-to-day operations.

Bando’s international work showed his dedication to growing baseball beyond the usual American pro leagues. He played a real part in building up Australia’s baseball infrastructure.

Scouting and Advisory Positions

Bando worked as an advance scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005. He analyzed opposing teams and helped prepare strategies for upcoming series.

He served as hitting coach with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 2003, working with young players in the New York-Penn League. He focused on teaching the basics of hitting to prospects.

In 2009, Bando became an assistant coach at The Master’s College. He later moved up to head coach at San Diego Christian College in 2010, stepping into the world of college baseball.

Personal Life and Legacy

Baseball has always been at the heart of Chris Bando’s life, both through family and his own career. He found financial success and public recognition from his playing days and his coaching work, but his real legacy might be how he helped develop young players and managed at so many levels.

Family and Baseball Connections

Chris Bando grew up in a family deeply tied to baseball, with strong Major League roots. His brother, Sal Bando, played third base for 16 seasons and made a name for himself, mostly with the Oakland Athletics during their championship runs in the early ‘70s.

The baseball bug didn’t stop there. Chris’s sons — Ben, Michael, and Phil — all chased their own pro baseball dreams in the minor leagues. That’s three generations sticking with the sport.

After his own playing career, Chris worked alongside Sal in pro baseball. From 1996 to 1998, Chris coached for the Milwaukee Brewers while Sal ran things as General Manager. It’s a pretty rare family partnership in baseball management, and it really shows how deep the Bandos’ connection to the game goes.

Net Worth and Public Recognition

Chris Bando’s finances reflect his long run in professional baseball, both as a player and a coach. His nine-year MLB career, mostly as a backup catcher for the Cleveland Indians (with some time on the Tigers and Athletics), gave him a solid base.

After he finished playing, he branched out into coaching and management, including his time with the Brewers and later as a scout for the Diamondbacks.

He kept his name out there in baseball circles through his minor league managerial career. Managing teams at different levels and leagues helped him stay involved in the game long after his days behind the plate were over.

Contribution to Baseball Community

Chris Bando didn’t just rack up stats on the field—he left a real mark on the baseball world. Over the years, he managed minor league teams and played a big role in shaping young players.

From 1990 through 2019, Bando led teams for organizations like the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians. He even took on gigs with a handful of independent league teams.

In 2003, he jumped in as the hitting coach for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Then in 2005, the Arizona Diamondbacks brought him on as an advance scout, where he gathered key info about rival teams.

Bando didn’t stop there. He got involved in college baseball too, joining The Master’s College as an assistant coach in 2009.

A year later, he became head coach at San Diego Christian College. Honestly, it’s clear he’s always looked for ways to help young talent grow, especially at the amateur level.