Jeff Bailey

{{for multi|the archaeologist|Geoff Bailey|the fictional character|Out of the Past}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Jeff Bailey

| image = Jeff Bailey on June 30, 2009.jpg

| caption = Bailey with the Boston Red Sox in 2009

| position = First baseman

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|11|19}}

| birth_place = Longview, Washington, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = July 6

| debutyear = 2007

| debutteam = Boston Red Sox

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 4

| finalyear = 2009

| finalteam = Boston Red Sox

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .228

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 6

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 16

| teams =

Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2009}})

}}

Jeffrey Todd Bailey (born November 19, 1978) is an American former professional baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter. He formerly played catcher until a throwing disorder prompted him to change positions.{{cite web|author=Cafardo|first=Nick|author-link=Nick Cafardo|date=March 23, 2007|title=Tidbits from the Fort|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/03/tidbits_from_th.html|access-date=March 20, 2008|website=Boston Globe|publisher=}} Bailey grew up in Kelso, Washington and graduated from Kelso High School.

Professional career

Bailey was selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round (64th overall) of the {{mlby|1997}} draft. Bailey began his professional career in 1997 playing for the Gulf Coast League Marlins and played in the Marlins minor league system until {{mlby|2001}}.

In March {{mlby|2002}}, the Marlins traded him to Montreal Expos for a player to be named later (Wilson Valdéz). He played in the Expos system until October {{mlby|2003}} when he granted his free agency.

Bailey was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox organization first on November 7, 2003, then again on December 15, {{mlby|2004}}, December 10, {{mlby|2006}} and December 13, {{mlby|2007}}.{{Cite web|title=Jeff Bailey Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=baileje01|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=Baseball-Almanac}}

Between 2004 and {{mlby|2005}}, Bailey split time between Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. In 2006, he played the entire season playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox and had a .275 batting average, 82 RBI, and 22 home runs in 134 games.

File:PawSox Jeff Bailey.jpg, Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, in {{By|2007}}.]]

Bailey participated in the Red Sox' 2007 spring training before being sent back to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was called up from Pawtucket on July 6, 2007, and made his MLB debut for the Red Sox replacing the injured Kevin Youkilis at first base, going 0-4.{{cite web|author=Edes|first=Gordon|author-link=Gordon Edes|date=July 6, 2007|title=Bailey called up|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/07/bailey_called_u.html|access-date=March 20, 2008|website=Boston Globe|publisher=}} His first major league hit was a home run on July 8, against Detroit Tigers southpaw Nate Robertson.{{cite web|author=Benjamin|first=Amalie|author-link=Amalie Benjamin|date=July 8, 2007|title=Bailey's HR ball|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/07/baileys_hr_ball.html|access-date=March 20, 2008|website=Boston Globe|publisher=}} Bailey was optioned back to Pawtucket on July 12, 2007, to make room on the active roster for pitcher Joel Piñeiro.{{cite web|author=Browne|first=Ian|date=July 13, 2007|title=Notes: Schilling set for next step: No timetable set on when veteran will return to action|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715122835/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070712&content_id=2082934&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070712&content_id=2082934&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|archive-date=July 15, 2007|access-date=March 20, 2008|work=Boston Red Sox}}

Bailey participated in the Red Sox {{mlby|2008}} spring training camp, but was reassigned to minor league camp on March 8.{{cite web|author=Benjamin|first=Amalie|author-link=Amalie Benjamin|date=March 9, 2008|title=A small bend in road for Buchholz|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2008/03/09/a_small_bend_in_road_for_buchholz/|access-date=March 20, 2008|website=Boston Globe|publisher=}}

Bailey had very good beginning to the 2008 season in Pawtucket, hitting well over .300 by the end of May. Bailey's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on May 30, 2008. On August 26, 2008, after being called up by the Red Sox, he was denied entry to Yankee Stadium, with security believing he was a fan trying to get in without a ticket. Eventually he was allowed in after they discovered he was a member of the Red Sox, and he drove in two runs to help give the Red Sox a 7-3 win.{{Cite web|last=Edes|first=Gordon|date=August 27, 2008|title=A-Rod, Yankees fizzle; Bailey, Red Sox sizzle|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ge-arodfizzles082608.html|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=Yahoo Sports|language=en-US}} Bailey finished the 2008 season having played 27 games in the majors and batted .280 with two home runs and six RBIs.

On February 6, 2009, Bailey was outrighted off the 40-man roster to create roster space for re-signed catcher Jason Varitek.{{cite web|author=Browne|first=Ian|date=February 6, 2009|title=Sox finalize deal with Varitek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208085146/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=3801028&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=3801028&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|archive-date=February 8, 2009|access-date=November 2, 2011|website=Boston Red Sox|publisher=MLB.com}} Bailey refused the assignment and became a free agent but was immediately re-signed to a minor league contract by the Red Sox and was invited to major league spring training.

Early in the 2009 season, Kevin Youkilis went on the DL, and Bailey was called to fill in his spot. On June 2, 2009 was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket after Mark Kotsay being activated off the DL. He was once again called to the majors on June 30, after Mike Lowell was placed on the DL. Bailey was designated for assignment on September 1, 2009.{{Cite web|last=Axisa|first=Mike|date=September 1, 2009|title=Red Sox DFA Jeff Bailey|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/09/rangers-red-sox-dfa-minor-leaguers.html|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}} In October 2009, Bailey was granted free agency.{{cite web|author=Benjamin|first=Amalie|author-link=Amalie Benjamin|date=March 9, 2008|title=Extra Bases- Red Sox Blog|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases//|access-date=September 1, 2009|website=Boston Globe|publisher=}}

On December 28, 2009, Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks with an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|title=Jeff Bailey - Minnesota Twins - news and analysis, statistics, game logs, depth charts, contracts, injuries|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/edge/baseball/mlb/player/18549/jeff-bailey|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=NBC Sports|language=en}}

On November 20, 2010, Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins with an invitation to spring training.