Bob Reynolds – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Most baseball fans probably haven’t heard of Bob Reynolds, but honestly, his story is one of the more interesting chapters from 1970s baseball. Robert Allen Reynolds, known as “Bullet Bob” because he could throw over 100 mph, pitched in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1975. He appeared in 140 games and put up a 3.15 ERA over six seasons. He grew up in Seattle and got picked in the first round by the San Francisco Giants in 1966, which kicked off a career that zigzagged through seven different organizations.

Reynolds’ journey through professional baseball really gives you a peek into the life of a journeyman pitcher during a time when the sport was changing fast. From his days at Ingraham High School in Seattle to his final game in 1975, he played through some of the biggest shifts in baseball history.

He bounced around teams like the Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers, showing what life was like for talented players who weren’t exactly household names.

The story of Bullet Bob Reynolds goes way beyond just his stats. It touches on issues that would stick with retired players for decades after they left the game.

His career lined up with the early fights for player rights that eventually led to free agency. So his experience matters, both on a personal level and for understanding how baseball changed in the 1970s.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Robert Allen Reynolds was born January 21, 1947, in Seattle, Washington. He grew up there and developed the rocket arm that would earn him the nickname “Bullet.”

His journey from a Seattle high schooler to a first-round draft pick showed off exceptional talent that scouts couldn’t ignore.

Childhood and Education

Reynolds spent his childhood in Seattle during the ’50s and early ’60s. He went to Ingraham High School, juggling classes with his growing obsession with baseball.

During those years, Reynolds built up the physical tools that would make him stand out on the mound. At 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, he looked every bit the part of a power pitcher.

Even as a kid, he could throw a baseball with surprising speed. That raw velocity quickly became his trademark.

People in Seattle’s baseball community started noticing his arm strength while he was still in high school. Not many teenagers could throw over 100 mph like he did.

High School Achievements

At Ingraham High, Reynolds became one of the top pitching prospects in the Pacific Northwest. His performances drew a crowd—college recruiters and pro scouts showed up to watch.

His fastball set him apart from every other high school pitcher around. The nickname “Bullet” stuck during this time, fitting for a kid who could throw that hard.

Scouts kept coming to Ingraham games, hoping to catch him in action. His consistency and velocity made him the talk of Washington state baseball.

With that combination of physical gifts and competitive fire, Reynolds became a top target for major league teams. Several organizations wanted to sign him straight out of high school.

First Encounters With Professional Baseball

The San Francisco Giants saw his potential and grabbed him as their first-round pick in the 1966 June amateur draft. They picked him 18th overall, which says a lot about how highly they rated him.

That pick launched Reynolds’ professional career. The Giants clearly believed he could make it to the big leagues.

After the draft, Reynolds joined the Giants’ minor league system, where he spent a few years sharpening his skills and learning the ropes.

Getting drafted was a huge moment for him. It was proof that all those years of hard work—and that natural talent—had paid off.

Draft and Entry Into Major League Baseball

Bob Reynolds entered pro baseball through the 1966 amateur draft as a first-rounder for the San Francisco Giants. He spent a few years in the minors before finally breaking into the big leagues with the Montreal Expos in 1969.

1966 MLB Draft Selection

The Giants picked Bob Reynolds with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 1966 June draft. He came straight out of Ingraham High in Seattle, where he’d already wowed scouts with his right arm.

The Giants clearly believed in his potential. They saw Reynolds as a young pitcher with the tools to become a major leaguer.

At just 19, Reynolds signed with the Giants and started his journey in pro baseball.

Minor League Development and Progression

Reynolds spent his early years developing in the Giants’ minor league system. His fastball, which topped 100 mph, earned him the nickname “Bullet” during that time.

The 1968 MLB expansion draft threw a curveball into his career. The newly formed Montreal Expos picked him up from the Giants, giving him a fresh start somewhere new.

That move worked out for Reynolds. As an expansion team, the Expos gave young players like him a real shot at the majors.

Reynolds made his MLB debut on September 19, 1969, with the Expos at age 22. He faced the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched 1.1 innings, and struck out two batters.

Major League Career Timeline

Bob Reynolds’ pro baseball career lasted seven years and took him through several teams. He started in Montreal and bounced around before finding his stride with Baltimore.

His early years were a bit rocky as he tried to find his place as a reliable relief pitcher.

Montreal Expos Debut and Early Challenges

Reynolds first took the mound in the majors on September 19, 1969, with the Expos. He was just 22.

That first game wasn’t easy. He only lasted 1.1 innings against the Phillies.

He gave up 3 hits, 3 earned runs, and 3 walks but managed to strike out 2 batters. That outing left him with a sky-high ERA of 20.25 for his time in Montreal.

His numbers in Montreal:

• 1 game, 1 start
• 1.1 innings pitched
• 20.25 ERA
• 4.500 WHIP

After that, Reynolds didn’t get back to the majors until 1971. He probably spent those two years working on his game in the minors.

St. Louis Cardinals Tenure

In 1971, Reynolds joined the St. Louis Cardinals for a short stint. Things didn’t get much easier.

He pitched in 4 games, all in relief, for a total of 7 innings. His ERA ballooned to 10.29, and he gave up 15 hits and 8 earned runs while walking 6.

Major league hitters were still a challenge for him. He allowed 19.3 hits per 9 innings and had a rough 3.000 WHIP.

Still, he managed to strike out 4 batters in those 7 innings. Maybe there was hope if he could just get his control sorted out.

Milwaukee Brewers Transition

Reynolds’ time with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971 felt like a turning point. Moving to the American League, he looked a lot better, even if it was just a brief showing.

With Milwaukee, he pitched 6 innings over 3 games, all in relief. His ERA dropped to 3.00, a big improvement from his National League days.

Key Milwaukee stats:

• 4 hits allowed
• 2 earned runs
• 3 walks
• 4 strikeouts

The Brewers run proved he could adapt. His 1.167 WHIP was a lot more respectable. That performance probably helped him land future gigs in the American League.

Peak Years With the Baltimore Orioles

Reynolds really hit his stride during his four years with the Baltimore Orioles from 1972 to 1975. He became a reliable relief pitcher and notched 16 of his 21 career saves there.

Performance Highlights and Statistics

Reynolds put up his best numbers in Baltimore. In 1973, he had a fantastic 1.95 ERA over 42 games and finished with a 7-5 record.

That year was his peak. He threw 111 innings, struck out 77, and allowed just 88 hits.

In 1974, he kept it going with a 2.73 ERA in 54 games. He added 7 saves and another 7-5 record.

He got playoff experience, too, pitching in both the 1973 and 1974 American League Championship Series for the Orioles.

Across his Baltimore years, Reynolds posted a 2.43 ERA in 106 games. He won 14, lost 11, and saved 16 games.

Role and Impact on the Team

Reynolds became a key relief pitcher for Baltimore during their competitive run in the early ’70s. He mostly pitched as a closer and setup man, handling high-pressure situations.

Baltimore gave him a much bigger role than his earlier teams. He finally got consistent work.

The Orioles used Reynolds in 63 save situations over four seasons. He could pitch multiple innings, which made him a perfect fit for manager Earl Weaver’s bullpen tactics.

He helped Baltimore make the playoffs in both 1973 and 1974, stepping up with crucial relief work.

His numbers took a hit in 1975, though, when he put up a 9.00 ERA in limited action before getting traded.

Final Seasons and Retirement in 1975

Bob Reynolds faced a tough final season in 1975, suiting up for three different teams as his career wound down. He started with Baltimore, then got traded to Detroit and later to Cleveland, struggling to find his groove before retiring at just 28.

Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians Stints

Reynolds joined the Detroit Tigers in 1975 after a quick stint with Baltimore. He pitched in 21 games for Detroit, mostly out of the bullpen.

With the Tigers, he had mixed results. Reynolds put up a 4.67 ERA in 34.2 innings and picked up 3 saves, finishing 14 games.

Detroit used him in all sorts of relief roles that season. Still, he struggled with control and consistency.

Later that year, he landed with the Cleveland Indians for a short final run. He pitched just 5 games with them.

He threw 9.2 innings for Cleveland, posting a 4.66 ERA and earning 2 saves in 3 games finished. Even at the end, he could still close out games when needed.

His last MLB game came on September 21, 1975, against the Yankees. Reynolds pitched 3 innings, gave up 5 hits and 3 earned runs, and that was it for his big league career.

Retirement Decision and Circumstances

After 1975, Reynolds decided to retire, and he was only 28. He finished with 14 wins and 16 losses in 140 games over six seasons.

That last season was rough. Playing for three teams in one year made it clear he couldn’t find a steady spot.

His combined stats for 1975 showed the struggle. He wrapped up with a 5.19 ERA across 33 games, way above his career average.

His best years came in Baltimore from 1972-1974, especially that standout 1973 season with a 1.95 ERA. Things just didn’t click after that.

Reynolds played for six teams in all: Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians. Most of his 21 career saves came during his Orioles days.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

Bob Reynolds left behind a short but memorable career as one of baseball’s fastest throwers. People called him “Bullet” for a reason—his fastball was electric.

After retiring in 1975, Reynolds ran into the same pension headaches that a lot of players from his era faced.

Career Achievements and Recognition

Robert Allen Reynolds put up some solid numbers over his six-year Major League Baseball run from 1969 to 1975.

He appeared in 140 games, working almost exclusively out of the bullpen. Reynolds notched 14 wins and 21 saves in 254 innings pitched.

That 3.15 ERA he carried through his career really stands out. You just don’t see many relievers keep things that steady, especially considering he bounced around seven different teams.

Most folks remember Reynolds for his time with the Baltimore Orioles from 1972-1974. Those years, he really found his groove, going 7-5 in both 1973 and 1974.

The San Francisco Giants picked Reynolds in the first round of the 1966 draft, which says a lot about how much potential scouts saw in his right arm. That triple-digit fastball? It definitely turned some heads.

Influence and Reputation in Baseball

People across baseball noticed Reynolds for his crazy arm strength and that blazing fastball. They called him “Bullet” Bob because he could regularly hit over 100 mph—honestly, not many pitchers could do that back then.

He played for a bunch of teams: the Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians. Relief pitchers bounced around a lot in the 1970s, so that part of his story actually fits the era.

After he retired, Reynolds moved to Ocean Shores, Washington. He was 74 at the time.

Like 608 other retired players, he doesn’t get a traditional MLB pension. The league changed the rules in 1980, which left a lot of guys out.

Now, Reynolds gets up to $10,000 each year for every 43 game days he spent on an active roster. That money can’t go to his family if something happens to him, which feels a bit unfair, especially since modern players only need 43 days to get full pension benefits.