Welby Sheldon “Buddy” Bailey, who worked for the Cubs as a minor league manager and coordinator from 2006 to 2024, has passed away at the age of 68.
As you can tell from that, Bailey was also a legend in Venezuelan baseball, leading Tigres de Aragua to six titles and nine appearances in the finals. He also managed Venezuela in the Caribbean World Series, leading to a title in 2009.
Bailey was taken in the 16th round of the 1979 MLB Draft as a catcher out of the University of Lynchburg. During Spring Training of 1983, he was pulled aside by then-Braves manager Joe Torre and told that the Braves needed a manager in rookie ball and that several people had recommended him for the job. He was also told that it was his only chance of staying in baseball.
Bailey managed in the Braves system from 1983 to 1990, managing in Pulaski (Rookie Ball), Sumter and Durham (both A Ball) and Double-A Grenville before moving on the Red Sox organization in 1991. He managed High-A Lynchburg in 1991 and 1992 before serving two stints as the manager of Triple-A Pawtucket from 1993 to 1996 and 2002 to 2004. In between those two stretches, Bailey worked a minor league coordinator and roving catching instructor. Bailey also got his only taste of the big leagues when he was the Red Sox bench coach in 2000.
Bailey moved on to the Cubs organization in 2006 as a catching instructor before taking over as manager for the then High-A Daytona Cubs mid-season. He stayed in the Cubs organization until stepping away this off-season. He managed Daytona in 2006 and again from 2009 to 2011, Triple-A Iowa in 2007. Double-A Tennessee in 2008 and again from 2012 to 2015, Myrtle Beach (both High-A and Low-A) from 2016 to 2o18 and again in 2021 to 2024 and High-A South Bend in 2019.
Bailey’s teams in the Cubs organization won league titles in 2016 (Myrtle Beach) and 2019 (South Bend).
Bailey finished his career third on the all-time minor league wins list with a record of 2419 wins and 2219 losses.
Former Cub Adbert Alzolay offered his thoughts.
Some photos of Bailey in action.
Here is a video the Pelicans made about Bailey’s career at the end of last season. At the time, they didn’t know that Bailey wouldn’t return for the 2025 season.
Our condolences go out to his family, friends and all of the players who loved playing for him. Bailey toiled in anonymity for most of his career, but his influence on the game will last thought the players he helped mold over the many decades.
