Oakland, CA - A year ago, Andrew Bailey was mired in the worst slump of his professional career. After dominating in his first two minor league seasons, the hard-throwing right-handed pitcher's record stood at just 1-8 with a 6.18 ERA for the Oakland A's Double A affiliate Midland Rockhounds. He had just given up three runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, proving that the toughest jump for a professional player is from High A to Double A where the talent level increases immensely.

After struggling as a starter, the Oakland brass decided to move Bailey to the bullpen. The 2006 Wagner College graduate was more than up to the challenge. From that point, Bailey was nearly unhittable, posting a 4-1 record with a 0.92 ERA and 41 strikeouts, against just 11 walks, over 39.0 innings while holding hitters to a .207 average.

Bailey then faced his next challenge, the Arizona Fall League. The prestigious AFL has been a breeding ground for talent since 1992, having spawned big leagues such as Mike Piazza, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Albert Pujols, Roy Halladay, Troy Percival and NBA Great Michael Jordan, who suited up for Scottsdale in 1994 while playing in the Chicago White Sox organization. As has been Bailey's M.O. throughout his entire career, the 6-3, 240 pitcher was up to the challenge. Pitching for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, Bailey struck out two over 2.0 scoreless innings of relief in the Desert Dogs' 10-4 AFL Championship Game victory over Mesa. For the fall, he punched out 18 via the strikeout, against just one walk, over 16.0 innings while posting a miniscule 1.13 ERA.

Shortly after the season ended Bailey remarked, “It was an experience I will never forget and it ranks as a top accomplishment in my career thus far. I hope to break spring training with our AAA team (Sacramento) and at some point during 2009 be given the opportunity to help our Big League Club.”

Bailey reported to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee with little to no chance of making the Oakland roster … to the opinion of the average fan but not one shared by Bailey. To followers of Bailey it was just another minor obstacle. As a projected top pick in 2005, Bailey hurt his arm against Fairleigh Dickinson and required the dreaded Tommy John surgery that sidelines players to up to a year. Through his own hard work and the work of the Wagner training staff, comprised at the time of Joe Abruzzo, Janelle Francisco, Mike Gregorio and Esmeralda Mendoza, Bailey made it back in just nine months. His short sample of work during his redshirt junior season prompted Oakland to pull the trigger on Bailey in the sixth round, just a few picks before the Yankees were rumored to be considering selecting the Wagner product.

Once spring training began, the unhittable Bailey that took the Arizona Fall League by storm was now on display in the highest level of professional baseball. Bailey began spring training by not allowing a run in 11 of his 12 spring-training appearances, including his first 10. Added into the equation were a few key injuries to the Oakland staff and lo and behold Bailey would not be breaking camp with Sacramento as he had hoped in the winter of 2008. Instead, he would be starting the year with Oakland, proving that sometimes it is good to be wrong.

Bailey was immediately thrown into the fire, facing a potent Los Angeles squad on opening day and did not disappoint, retiring the Angels in order. Bailey would continue his domination of the opposition, not giving up a run over his first 9.2 innings of work. In his first month and a half of professional baseball (through May 13), Bailey is 3-0 with one save, an American League-best 24 strikeouts out of the bullpen and a 1.27 ERA over 21.1 innings of work while looking like he will be a valuable member of the A's relief corps for years to come.

Written by Kevin Ross, Assistant Sports Information Director & Baseball Contact