Homer Bailey is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on May 3, 1986, in La Grange, Texas, and attended La Grange High School. Bailey was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft and made his debut in 2007.
Bailey spent most of his career with the Reds, where he established himself as a reliable starting pitcher. He was known for his fastball, which could reach up to 98 miles per hour, and his curveball, which was considered one of the best in the league. Bailey had a successful 2012 season, where he threw his first career no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He followed that up with another no-hitter in 2013 against the San Francisco Giants, becoming only the sixth pitcher in MLB history to throw multiple no-hitters before the age of 30.
Injuries plagued Bailey's career, and he missed significant time due to various ailments, including elbow and shoulder injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, which caused him to miss the entire season. Bailey struggled to regain his form after the surgery and was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018. He made only two starts for the Dodgers before being released.
Bailey signed with the Kansas City Royals in 2019 and had a decent season, posting a 4.57 ERA in 31 starts. He became a free agent after the season and signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. Bailey made the Twins' opening day roster in 2020 but struggled in his first few starts, posting a 8.71 ERA in three starts before being placed on the injured list with biceps tendinitis. He was eventually released by the Twins in August 2020.
Overall, Bailey had a solid career, finishing with a 79-71 record and a 4.56 ERA in 212 starts. He was a two-time All-Star and threw two no-hitters during his career. However, injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential, and he was never able to establish himself as a top-tier pitcher in the league.
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