Del Bates

Delbert Oakley Bates

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• School Everett Community College
• High School Bothell High School
• Debut May 6, 1970
• Final Game June 5, 1970
• Born June 12, 1940 in Seattle, WA USA
• Died September 24, 2009 in Spokane, WA USA

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Biographical Information

Del Bates got his chance in the majors in 1970 when two of the Philadelphia Phillies' catchers Tim McCarver and Mike Ryan) were injured on May 2nd. On June 5, Del took a foul tip off his right hand, which spelled the end of his big league career. Del played in the minors for eight years, almost exclusively as a catcher. He was on the 1967 Richmond Braves team for whom Tommie Aaron was the International League MVP. His father, Delbert Bates, was a minor league player.

Sources include Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Legends.