Rob Bailey followed father into pros, played six seasons

To The Pittsburgh Press in June 1989, Rob Bailey compared his style of play to his father Bob Bailey's.

The elder Bailey spent 17 seasons in the majors. The younger one was just starting out.

"I'm a totally different player," Rob Bailey told The Press. "He was a power hitter. I'm the perfect type of turf player."

Rob Bailey went on to a career that spanned six seasons, but he never followed his father to the majors. He made it briefly to AA, but got no higher.

Bailey's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Pirates in the third round of the draft out of Fullerton College in California. Bailey was also credited by his formal name, Robert Bailey.

Bailey started his college career at San Diego State. He hit .375 there in 1988. He then transferred to Fullerton, where he knocked in a run in a March 1989 game.

With the Pirates, Bailey's career started off on the sidelines, downed by strep throat. He played the year between single-A Augusta and short-season Welland. He stole three bases and scored two runs in a July game for Augusta.

He played 1990 between Augusta and high-A Salem. He hit .201 in 110 games. He picked up two RBI on a double in a June game for Salem.

Bailey returned to Salem for 1991 and 1992. He played 1993 at independent Rochester. He hit .243 in 68 games. He returned to affiliated ball for one more season, in 1994. He saw four games at AA New Haven with the Rockies and 66 at high-A Lake Elsinore to end his career.

• Pittsburgh Press, June 18, 1989: Another Bailey hopes to make history

More: The 1990 Salem Buccaneers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,926
Made the Majors:1,087-37.2%
Never Made Majors:1,839-62.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 450
10+ Seasons in the Minors:271