Andrew Bailey (baseball)

Baseball career

High school and college

Bailey was born in Voorhees, New Jersey, and first played baseball at Paul VI High School in Haddon Township, New Jersey. He attended Wagner College in Staten Island. Bailey was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round (475th overall) of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, but decided to return to Wagner for his senior year and earn a degree in business administration. His Wagner number 17 jersey was retired in January 2010, which made him only the fourth former student-athlete to be honored in that way.

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics selected Bailey in the sixth round, with the 188th overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with Oakland for a signing bonus of $135,000.

Bailey made the Athletics Opening Day 25-man roster for the season, and made his major league debut on April 6, 2009, pitching a scoreless inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Bailey was selected to represent the Athletics in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. He was the 2009 August AL Rookie of the Month. He broke the Athletics rookie save record on September 12 against the Minnesota Twins with his 24th save of the season.

After a final line of 26 saves (9th in the AL) and a 1.84 ERA and a 0.876 WHIP, Bailey was named 2009 American League Rookie of the Year on November 16, 2009.

He was selected again to the All-Star team in 2010, which he finished with 25 saves (10th in the AL), a 1.47 ERA and a 0.959 WHIP.

On September 12, 2011, Bailey was hit right above the temple by a line drive in batting practice. He felt fine, passed concussion tests, and sat out the next few days. He returned to action to face the Tigers a few games later. His ERA ballooned to 3.24, though he did finish with 24 saves.

Boston Red Sox

On December 28, 2011, Bailey and Ryan Sweeney were traded from Oakland to the Boston Red Sox for Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers. On April 4, 2012, it was announced that Bailey would require reconstructive surgery on his right thumb and that he would begin the 2012 season on the disabled list. Bailey made his 2012 debut with the Red Sox on August 14, pitching a third of an inning in a loss to Baltimore. He finished the 2012 season with 15 innings pitched, a 7.04 ERA, and a 1.89 WHIP.

Bailey began the season as a middle reliever with the Red Sox, but when closer Joel Hanrahan was injured in mid-April, Bailey took over the closer job. He was named the American League player of the week for the week of April 21.

New York Yankees

On February 22, 2014, Bailey signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees with a $2.5 million salary if he made the major league roster, and a club option for the 2015 season. After numerous setbacks in his recovery from his shoulder injury, Bailey was ruled out for the 2014 season on August 17. The Yankees signed him to a new minor league contract on November 7, 2014, after declining his 2015 option a few days earlier.

The Yankees promoted Bailey to the major leagues on September 1, 2015. On September 2, he entered in the seventh inning at Boston, his first appearance in a game in two years. In 10 appearances, he posted a 5.19 ERA. On November 3, the Yankees declined Bailey's option for the 2016 season, making him a free agent.

Philadelphia Phillies

Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2015, receiving an invitation to spring training. He was called up to the Phillies on April 20, 2016. He was designated for assignment on August 2, and released on August 6.

Los Angeles Angels

On August 13, 2016, Bailey signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Bailey was called up in late August and collected six saves for the Angels in 12 games, with a 2.38 ERA and a 0.971 WHIP. On November 9, Bailey signed a one-year, $1 million contract to remain with the Angels. His 2017 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, limiting him to four games.

Post-playing career

Bailey announced his retirement on February 26, 2018, to take up the job of instant replay coordinator and coaching assistant for the Los Angeles Angels. Bailey spent the 2019 season as the Angels bullpen coach.

Prior to the 2020 season, Bailey was hired by the San Francisco Giants as their pitching coach.

In November 2023, Bailey was hired as pitching coach by the Red Sox, replacing Dave Bush, who had been dismissed following the 2023 season.

Philanthropy

Bailey serves as Director of Development for the Strike 3 Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to pediatric cancer research, founded by former Athletics and Red Sox teammate Craig Breslow.

References

References

1. "Northeast Conference - Wagner's Andrew Bailey Drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in 16th Round". Northeast Conference.
2. (July 18, 2011). "The Perfect Closer". Wagner Magazine.
3. "Andrew Bailey - Stats - The Baseball Cube".
4. "Andrew Bailey Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
5. "Andrew Bailey Stats".
6. link. (August 17, 2014 , [[MLB.com]]. Published November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.)
7. Slusser, Susan. "A's Andrew Bailey out tonight after being hit by line drive". The San Francisco Chronicle.
8. Kruth, Cash. (December 28, 2011). "Red Sox acquire closer Bailey from A's". MLB.com.
9. Seidel, Jeff. (April 4, 2012). "Bailey needs surgery, out until All-Star break". MLB.com.
10. "Joel Hanrahan is coming, but Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey will be hard to displace". [[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts).
11. "Boston Red Sox on Twitter". Twitter.
12. (August 16, 2014). "N.J.'s Andrew Bailey still hurt, won't pitch for Yankees in 2014". NJ.com.
13. "Yanks to add reliever Bailey on Minors deal". Major League Baseball.
14. (August 16, 2014). "Andrew Bailey not expected to pitch for the Yankees this season - HardballTalk". nbcsports.com.
15. Hatch, Ryan. (September 1, 2015). "Yankees' reliever Andrew Bailey back in MLB after 2 years away". NJ.com.
16. (November 3, 2015). "Brendan Ryan picks up player option; New York Yankees decline Andrew B". ESPN.com.
17. (December 17, 2015). "Phillies sign South Jersey's Andrew Bailey". Philly.com.
18. "Phillies call up Bailey, designate Russell". Philadelphia Phillies.
19. Moura, Pedro. (November 9, 2016). "Angels sign Andrew Bailey, adding an option as closer". [[Los Angeles Times]].
20. Todd, Jeff. (February 26, 2018). "Andrew Bailey Announces Retirement". mlbtraderumors.com.
21. (December 3, 2018). "Angels Announce Coaching Staff".
22. (December 11, 2019). "SFGiants Add Eight To Coaching Staff".
23. Browne, Ian. (2023-11-22). "Red Sox hire Andrew Bailey as pitching coach".
24. (November 21, 2023). "Red Sox hire Andrew Bailey, former All-Star, as pitching coach".
25. "The Strike 3 Foundation -- Making a Pitch for Our Future".