Charles Douglas Bair (born August 22, 1949) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

former

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Mod ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...

. He played for 15

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) seasons — from 1976 to 1990 — for seven teams.

Career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bair was drafted by the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...

out of

Bowling Green State University Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is a public research university in Bowling Green, Ohio. The main academic and residential campus is south of Toledo, Ohio. The university has nationally recognized programs and research facilities in the ...

in the second round of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft and made his Major League debut on September 13, 1976, pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

in a 5–0 loss. On March 15, 1977, Bair,

Tony Armas Antonio Rafael Armas Machado (born July 2, 1953) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from 1976 to 1989. He is the father of pitcher Tony Armas Jr. and the older brother o ...

Dave Giusti David John Giusti, Jr. (born November 27, 1939) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1962 to 1977, most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won f ...

Rick Langford James Rick Langford (born March 20, 1952) is an American retired professional baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1976 through 1986. He has served as a coach for the ...

Doc Medich George Francis "Doc" Medich (born December 9, 1948) is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972–1982. He was a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh, and acquired the nickname "Doc" during his e ...

, and

Mitchell Page Mitchell Otis Page (October 15, 1951 – March 12, 2011) was a Major League Baseball player. He finished second to Hall of Famer Eddie Murray in American League Rookie of the Year balloting when he came up with the Oakland Athletics in . Page pl ...

were traded to the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

for

Chris Batton Christopher Sean Batton (born August 24, 1954) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics. Batton was drafted by the Athletics in the 12th round of the 1972 Major Lea ...

Phil Garner Philip Mason Garner (born April 30, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as an infielder with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and ...

, and

Tommy Helms Tommy Vann Helms (born May 5, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. Over a 14-year Major League Baseball career (–), Helms played for four teams, including eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, four with the Ho ...

Oakland Athletics

Bair earned his first career victory on April 14, 1977, against the

California Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...

. On August 13, 1977, Bair recorded his first career save in a 9–6 win over the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...

. Overall, Bair finished the season with a 4–6 record and a 3.46 ERA in 83 innings pitched, while earning eight saves. The Athletics traded Bair to the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

for

Dave Revering David Alvin Revering (born February 12, 1953) is an American former professional baseball player. He appeared in 557 games as a first baseman, designated hitter and pinch hitter in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1982 for four American League t ...

and cash on February 25, 1978."Reds Get Relief Pitcher For Revering and Cash," ''United Press International'' (UPI), Sunday, February 26, 1978.
Retrieved October 22, 2020

Cincinnati Reds

Bair had a breakout season with the

during the 1978 season, as he appeared in 70 games, posting a 7–6 record with a 1.97 ERA in 100 innings pitched, and saved 28 games for the team, the fourth highest save total in the

National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...

. Bair struggled in 1979, as his ERA spiked to 4.26, and he lost his job as closer midway through the season. Bair finished with a record of 11–7, and 16 saves in 65 games, as the club reached the playoffs. In the 1979 NLCS against the

, Bair appeared in one game, the second game of the series, and allowed a run in the top of the tenth inning as the Pirates defeated the Reds 3–2, earning the loss. Bair appeared in 61 games with Cincinnati in 1980, going 3–6 with a 4.24 ERA, while earning six saves in 85 innings pitched. He began the 1981 season with the Reds, and in 24 games went 2–2 with a 5.77 ERA in 39 innings pitched. On September 10, 1981, the Reds traded him to the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...

for Joe Edelen and Neil Fiala.

St. Louis Cardinals

Bair finished the 1981 season with the

, going 2–0 with a 3.45 ERA in 11 games, while earning a save. In 1982 he appeared in 63 games, going 5–3 with a 2.55 ERA in 91 innings pitched, and recorded eight saves, helping St. Louis reach the playoffs. In the 1982 NLCS against the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...

, Bair appeared in one game, pitching a scoreless inning. In the

1982 World Series The 1982 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1982 Major League Baseball season, 1982 season. The 79th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National Leag ...

against the

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...

, Bair played in three games, going 0–1 with a 9.00 ERA in two innings pitched, as the Cardinals won the

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...

. Bair started the 1983 season with the Cardinals, appearing in 26 games, going 1–1 with a 3.03 ERA, while earning a save in 29 innings pitched. On June 22, 1983, St. Louis traded Bair to the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...

for future considerations.

Detroit Tigers

Bair finished 1983 in Detroit with his former manager from the 1978 Reds, Sparky Anderson. He played in 27 games, going 7–3 with a 3.88 ERA and four saves in 55 innings pitched. After making 388 relief appearances, Bair made his first major league start on August 23, 1983, pitching six shutout innings in a 2–0 victory over the Texas Rangers. Bair returned to Detroit in 1984, going 5–3 with a 3.75 ERA and four saves in 47 games pitched, helping Detroit to the playoffs. Bair did not appear in any games against the

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

in the 1984 ALCS, but did appear in a game in the 1984 World Series against the

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...

, pitching of an inning, while allowing no runs, as the Tigers won the series. He struggled in 1985, as he played in 21 games, going 2–0 with a 6.24 ERA in 49 innings pitched. On August 22, 1985, he was released.

St. Louis Cardinals

On September 2, 1985, Bair signed with the

, rejoining the team he played for from 1981 to 1983. Bair would appear in only two games with St. Louis, as he went 0–0 with a 0.00 ERA in two innings pitched. On November 12, 1985, Bair was granted free agency.

Oakland Athletics

On May 19, 1986, Bair signed with the

, his second stint with the club. He went 2–3 with a 3.00 ERA in 31 games pitched, while recording four saves. On November 10, 1986, Bair became a free agent.

Philadelphia Phillies

Bair signed as a free agent with the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...

on June 23, midway through the 1987 season. Bair played in 11 games with Philadelphia, going 2–0 with a 5.93 ERA in 13 innings pitched. Bair was released by the Phillies on March 26, 1988.

Toronto Blue Jays

On April 7, 1988, Bair signed as a free agent with the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...

. Bair played in 10 games with Toronto, going 0–0 with a 4.05 ERA in 13 innings pitched. Bair was released by the Blue Jays on October 31, 1988, however, he re-signed with the team on February 17, 1989. After playing with the

Syracuse Chiefs Syracuse may refer to: Places Italy *Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa'' *Province of Syracuse United States *Syracuse, New York **East Syracuse, New York **North Syracuse, New York *Syracuse, Indiana * Syracuse, Kansas *Syracuse, Miss ...

, the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate, to begin the 1989 season, the

purchased Bair's contract on June 16, 1989.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bair finished the 1989 season with the

, going 2–3 with a 2.27 ERA in 44 games pitched, pitching 67 innings. Bair returned to the Pirates in 1990, going 0–0 with a 4.81 ERA in 22 games. On October 3, 1990, Bair pitched two scoreless innings against the

in what would be his last major league game. The Pirates granted Bair free agency on November 5, 1990. In 1991, Bair split time between the

Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A Mud Hens team has played in ...

, the

Triple-A affiliate, and the

, the

Triple-A affiliate. In 1992, Bair pitched in seven games with the

Edmonton Trappers The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in Edmonton, Alberta. They were a part of the Triple-A level in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Their home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton. The ...

, the

AAA affiliate before retiring.

Major League career

Bair spent 15 seasons in

from 1976 to 1990. During his career he had a 55–43 record with a 3.63 ERA in 584 games, five of them starts. Bair also finished with 81 career saves, and struck out 689 batters in 909 innings pitched. In the playoffs, Bair went 0–2 with a 5.79 ERA in six games. He won two

championships, with the

in 1982, and with the

in 1984. A few days before the

his daughter, Heather Lea Bair, was born.

Coaching career

In 2006, Bair served as pitching coach of the

Billings Mustangs The Billings Mustangs are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Billings, Montana, and have played their home games at Dehler ...

, the rookie-level minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Bair spent 2007 and 2008 as pitching coach for the

Dayton Dragons The Dayton Dragons are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Dayton, Ohio, and play their home games at Day Air Ballpark, formerly known as Fifth Third Field. In 2 ...

, the Class A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

References

External links

Doug Bair
at SABR (Baseball BioProject) {{DEFAULTSORT:Bair, Doug 1949 births Living people Águilas Cibaeñas players American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic American expatriate baseball players in Canada Baseball coaches from Ohio Baseball players from Ohio Bowling Green Falcons baseball players Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Charleston Charlies players Cincinnati Reds players Detroit Tigers players Edmonton Trappers players Major League Baseball pitchers Maine Guides players Minor league baseball coaches Oakland Athletics players People from Defiance, Ohio Philadelphia Phillies players Pittsburgh Pirates players Salem Pirates players Salem Rebels players San Jose Missions players St. Louis Cardinals players Syracuse Chiefs players Tacoma Tigers players Toledo Mud Hens players Toronto Blue Jays players Waterbury Pirates players