Jeff Bailey

Infobox MLB player
name = Jeff Bailey

---

width = 250
team = Boston Red Sox
number = 55
position = First baseman
birthdate = birth date and age|1978|11|19
birthplace = city-state|Longview|Washington
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = July 6
debutyear = 2007
debutteam = Boston Red Sox
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .254
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 3
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 7
teams =
*Boston Red Sox (by|2007-present)

Jeffrey Todd Bailey (born November 19, 1978 in Longview, Washington) is a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter in the Boston Red Sox organization. He formerly played catcher until a throwing disorder prompted him to change positions. [cite web
url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/03/tidbits_from_th.html |date=2007-03-23 | title=Tidbits from the Fort | publisher=Boston Globe |author=Nick Cafardo |accessdate=2008-03-20] Bailey is a graduate of Kelso High School in Kelso, Washington and attended Texas A&M University

Professional career

Bailey was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd 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.

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.

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
url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/07/bailey_called_u.html |date=2007-07-06 | title=Bailey called up | publisher=Boston Globe |author=Gordon Edes |accessdate=2008-03-20] . His first major league hit was a home run on July 8, against Detroit Tigers southpaw Nate Robertson [cite web
url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/07/baileys_hr_ball.html |date=2007-07-08 | title=Bailey's HR ball | publisher=Boston Globe |author=Amalie Benjamin |accessdate=2008-03-20] . Bailey was optioned back to Pawtucket on July 12, 2007, to make room on the active roster for pitcher Joel Piñeiro. [cite web
url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070712&content_id=2082934&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|date=2007-07-08 |date=2007-07-13 | title=Notes: Schilling set for next step: No timetable set on when veteran will return to action | publisher=MLB.com |author=Ian Browne |accessdate=2008-03-20]

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

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 believe 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 Boston Red Sox, and he drove in two runs to help give the Red Sox a win 7 to 3.

External links

* [http://www.soxprospects.com/players/bailey-jeff.htm Soxprospects.com] Bio / statistics
* [http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=799 Baseball Reference] minor league statistics
* [http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jeff%20Bailey&pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=431158 Minor League Baseball stats]

Awards and recognition

*2008 - International League Most Valuable Player. [cite web | url = http://www.projo.com/pawsox/content/projo_20080827_bailey_zink.18c3cb9a.html?npc | title = Bailey, Zink win most valuable awards for their Triple-A seasons | author=JOE McDONALD |work = Providence Journal | date =2008-08-27 | accessdate = 2008-08-27 ]

References