Scott Bailes – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Scott Bailes wrapped up his professional baseball journey in 1998 with the Texas Rangers. As a left-handed relief pitcher, he bounced around a few teams and stuck it out for almost a decade in the majors. Once he hung up his cleats at 36, Bailes didn’t stray far from the game—he jumped right into broadcasting as a co-announcer on the Ozarks CW network.

He never really became a household name, but Bailes put together a solid career on the mound before his last appearance in September 1998. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, the 6’2″ southpaw has always kept a foot in the baseball world. Even after retiring, he found ways to stay involved and give back to the sport.

Early Life and Education

Bailes grew up in the American Midwest, where his early years definitely shaped his future in baseball. His time in Missouri set the stage for everything that came later on.

Childhood and Hometown

Scott Alan Bailes came into the world on December 18, 1961, in Chillicothe, Ohio. But he really grew up in Springfield, Missouri, and that’s where he established his roots. Springfield ended up being a pretty constant presence throughout his life and career.

Bailes attended Parkview High School in Springfield and started honing his baseball skills there. It was during these years that he began to stand out as a left-handed pitcher.

The Springfield community played a big part in Bailes’ growth, both as an athlete and as a person. After his pro career, he returned to give back to the area that helped raise him.

Missouri State University and Undergraduate Studies

Even though the Texas Rangers drafted Bailes in the 7th round of the 1982 draft, he decided to put education first. He turned down the Rangers’ offer and played college ball instead.

Bailes went to Missouri State University (back then it was Southwest Missouri State) and kept working on his pitching while earning his degree. College baseball gave him the experience he needed to get ready for the pros.

He became a standout pitcher at Missouri State, and that performance eventually opened the door to a nine-year Major League career that saw him play for three teams.

Path to Major League Baseball

Bailes worked his way up through several levels of professional baseball before he made it as a big-league pitcher. The road from amateur to MLB wasn’t easy, but he kept pushing and improving at every stop.

Draft and Minor League Journey

The Texas Rangers drafted Bailes in the 7th round. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio on December 18, 1961, he had already shown he was a promising lefty.

He spent his minor league years in the Rangers’ farm system, sharpening his pitching mechanics and figuring out how to get batters out. Bailes, as a southpaw, worked on expanding his pitch selection as he moved up the ladder.

The early ‘80s were pretty crucial for Bailes. He dealt with all the usual minor league stuff—long bus rides, tiny stadiums, and the pressure to perform well enough to get noticed.

Breakthrough to the Majors

Bailes finally got his shot and debuted in Major League Baseball in 1986, kicking off a nine-year run in the majors. It took years of grinding, but he proved he had what it took to face the best.

He played for three different teams during his MLB career, so he got a taste of different baseball cultures and clubhouses. As a lefty, Bailes filled some important roles, whether starting games or coming out of the bullpen.

Jumping to the majors meant he had to tweak his pitching style. Big-league hitters were a different animal compared to the minors. Bailes adjusted, using his left-handed delivery to keep even the best hitters guessing.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Over his nine years in the majors, Scott Bailes carved out a steady career as a left-handed pitcher. He spent a big chunk of that time with the Cleveland Indians, then moved on to the California Angels and Seattle Mariners.

Cleveland Years

Bailes started his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians, making his debut on April 9, 1986. He mostly came out of the bullpen as a reliable relief pitcher.

In his rookie season, Bailes put up a solid ERA and showed off his control. He quickly earned his managers’ trust and became a regular in the Indians’ bullpen.

The 1987 season stands out as one of his best in Cleveland. He got into a lot of games and brought some stability to the pitching staff. His lefty delivery made him especially tough on left-handed hitters.

By the time he left Cleveland, Bailes had built a reputation as a dependable reliever who could handle pressure situations. His steady performance made him a real asset to the Indians’ pitching staff.

Stint with California and Seattle

After Cleveland, Bailes moved over to the California Angels and kept doing what he did best—coming out of the bullpen as a lefty specialist. He brought experience and a crafty approach to a new team.

With the Angels, Bailes kept working on his craft, learning from different catchers and pitching coaches. He stayed a go-to guy in the bullpen.

Later on, Bailes landed with the Seattle Mariners, adding yet another American League team to his list. His numbers weren’t quite what they had been, but he still brought veteran leadership to the bullpen.

Bailes’ career through the 1990s baseball scene really mirrored what a lot of relievers went through back then. He finished up in 1998 with the Texas Rangers, closing out almost a decade in the majors.

Notable Teams and Teammates

Bailes spent time with several MLB teams during his nine-year run, and he crossed paths with a bunch of talented players. His journey included a memorable stint with the Texas Rangers and some run-ins with baseball’s biggest names.

Time with the Texas Rangers

Bailes wrapped up his Major League career with the Texas Rangers in 1998, making that year a pretty big chapter for him. He joined a Rangers squad loaded with some well-known players.

In 1998, the Rangers had slugger Juan Gonzalez crushing the ball, and Bailes shared the clubhouse with guys like Luis Alicea and veteran Shawon Dunston during his Texas days.

Manager Johnny Oates often called on Bailes as a lefty out of the bullpen. The team was in the thick of the American League West race, so Bailes got plenty of chances in high-stress situations.

Texas ended up being Bailes’ last stop in the majors before he retired after the 1998 season.

Games Against the New York Yankees

Bailes faced off against the powerhouse New York Yankees a bunch of times over his career. Those matchups were always tough—the Yankees pretty much dominated the AL during that era.

The Yankees’ lineups in the ‘90s were stacked, making every pitcher’s job a nightmare. Bailes had to work his way through lineups featuring Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, and Derek Jeter.

Pitching at Yankee Stadium was a whole experience. The pressure, the crowd, the stakes—Bailes had to keep his cool and trust his stuff.

Facing the Yankees definitely created some of Bailes’ most memorable moments, especially during that final season in Texas.

Interactions with Notable Players

Across nine seasons, Bailes got to compete against some of the game’s legends. He faced off with Hall of Famer George Brett during Brett’s last years with the Royals.

He also went up against Jose Canseco—sometimes as an opponent, sometimes as a teammate. Those encounters really showed off the competitive fire of that era.

Bailes learned a lot from other pitchers, too, like Richard Dotson. Those relationships taught him about pitching strategy and how to stick around in the big leagues.

The teammates Bailes worked with had a big impact on his approach and helped him grow as a player. Those connections were a huge part of his time in the majors.

Statistical Performance Overview

Scott Bailes put together a unique stat line during a career that stretched from the mid-1980s to 1998. His numbers tell the story of a left-handed reliever who saw both the highs and lows of big-league life.

Batting Average and Offensive Stats

Nobody expected Bailes to hit—he was a pitcher, after all. His batting stats look like most pitchers’ numbers from before the designated hitter took over.

As a left-handed batter, Bailes didn’t make much noise at the plate. He hardly got any at-bats, which is pretty normal for a reliever who usually gets pulled for a pinch-hitter.

When Bailes did step in, he struggled to connect against big-league pitching. But really, that’s not surprising—his job was to pitch, not to hit.

Pitching Records and Home Runs Allowed

Bailes finished with a 4.95 ERA, according to his ESPN player profile. His pitching stats show his ability to stick around at the highest level. He struck out 351 batters and posted a 1.49 WHIP.

He picked up 13 saves over his career, which fits his role as a setup man more than a closer. In his last season with the Texas Rangers in 1998, he served as a valuable bullpen piece before calling it a career.

Giving up home runs got tougher for Bailes as the ‘90s wore on. Like a lot of pitchers from that era, he had to adjust as offense exploded across the league.

He played for Cleveland, the California Angels, and Texas, showing he could adapt to different teams and coaching styles.

Injuries and Time on the Disabled List

Scott Bailes ran into his share of injury problems during his MLB career, which sometimes cut into his playing time or effectiveness. The mid-1990s, in particular, brought some tough physical setbacks.

Significant Injuries

Bailes really struggled with injuries, especially during the 1994-1995 stretch. He missed most of the 1994 season and the entire 1995 season because of injuries that kept him off the field. Those health problems just kept nagging him over the next couple of years too.

Later in his career, Bailes ran into shoulder problems. In August 1998, while pitching for the Texas Rangers, he landed on the Disabled List with a partial rotator cuff injury. That shoulder issue really took a toll on him as a veteran pitcher.

The Rangers brought Bailes back from the Disabled List in September 1998, so he got to finish out the season. Still, all those injuries piled up and wore him down. After the 1998 season with Texas, Bailes retired after getting granted free agency.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Scott Bailes wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1998, finishing his final season with the Texas Rangers. That marked the end of a long run in Major League Baseball that spanned almost a decade and a handful of teams.

Decision to Retire in 1998

Bailes played his last MLB game on September 27, 1998 in a Rangers uniform. At 36, he decided it was time to step away after finishing the full 1998 season.

He made that call after getting granted free agency post-season. That wrapped up a career where he pitched for the Cleveland Indians, California Angels, and Texas Rangers.

Interestingly, Bailes had taken a break from baseball before. After the team released him in January 1995, he hung it up for a bit, but eventually found his way back before finally retiring for good in 1998.

Life After Baseball

After hanging up his glove, Bailes couldn’t stay away from baseball for long. He jumped into broadcasting as a TV announcer for the Springfield Cardinals, sharing his firsthand take on the game with fans at home.

He also spent some time in business, trying out a different pace. And, honestly, he just couldn’t resist playing—he joined a semi-pro league in Springfield, Missouri for a while, showing he still had the itch for baseball even after leaving the big leagues.

As a former Major League pitcher, Bailes has shared stories from his playing days, giving fans a peek behind the curtain of professional baseball. Moving from the mound to the broadcast booth, he found a way to stay close to the game while starting a new chapter.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Scott Bailes left a lasting mark on baseball that goes beyond just his numbers. He contributed to several teams, and his mentoring role after retirement helped cement his place in the sport’s history.

Contributions to Teams

Bailes made a real impact with every team he played for during his nine years in the majors. With the Cleveland Indians, he earned a reputation as a reliable left-handed reliever. His ability to both start and relieve gave the California Angels some much-needed flexibility.

During his last season with the Texas Rangers in 1998, Bailes brought some steady veteran leadership to the bullpen. Across his career, he showed a level of consistency and professionalism that earned him plenty of respect.

His pitching style focused more on control than raw power, and younger pitchers often looked to his approach when figuring out how to handle hitters. It just goes to show—sometimes, being effective isn’t about throwing the hardest.

Mentorship and Influence

After he hung up his cleats, Bailes kept his baseball journey going, jumping into broadcasting and front office gigs. He took on the role of co-announcer on the Ozarks CW, where he shared his real-world playing experience and, honestly, a few stories fans probably didn’t expect.

Working with the Springfield Cardinals, Bailes showed just how much he cares about helping new talent grow. He passed along his knowledge of the game, guiding young players as they figured out pitching and what it means to be a professional.

He’s made a real difference for more than 15,000 players and their families through the experiences he created. That kind of community focus? It’s no wonder people in baseball development circles respect him so much.