James Hopkins Bailey (December 16, 1934 – October 12, 2022) was an American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, Bailey played briefly in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1959 season. He was the younger brother of the late catcher Ed Bailey, who was his teammate (and batterymate) on the Reds. The Baileys were natives of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.

Jim Bailey
Pitcher
Born: (1934-12-16)December 16, 1934
Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, U.S.
Died: October 12, 2022(2022-10-12) (aged 87)
Ten Mile, Tennessee, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 10, 1959, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
September 20, 1959, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average6.17
Strikeouts7
Teams

Listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 metres) tall and 190 pounds (86 kilograms), Jim Bailey attended Lincoln Memorial University and signed with Cincinnati in 1956. He was recalled by the Reds after spending four seasons in their farm system.

In three MLB games pitched, Bailey posted a 0–1 record with seven strikeouts and a 6.17 ERA, allowing 17 hits and six bases on balls in 11⅔ innings, including one start. The start coincided with his MLB debut, September 10, 1959, at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. With brother Ed catching for him, the rookie southpaw pitched well into the eighth inning, with only three earned runs allowed, but then surrendered three more runs to Chicago, pinning him with the 6–3 loss.[1]

Bailey retired from pro ball in 1961 after a six-year career.

He died on October 12, 2022, at the age of 87.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Chicago Cubs 6, Cincinnati Reds 3 (2): Game Played on Thursday, September 10, 1959 (D) at Wrigley Field". Retrosheet.
  2. ^ "James Hopkins "Jim Hop" Bailey". Knox News. October 15, 2022.
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