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Ken Bayer Day
(AP) - When the current GM of the Batavia Muckdogs took over mid-season in '84 their wasn't a lot to work with. With a low budget and an expansion roster that was neglected by prior management, the only bright spot was a guaranteed high pick in the 1985 draft. Sending scouts far and wide the Muckdogs fell in love with three pitchers, starter Chet Stephens, starter Pancho "Ironfist" Herrera and reliever Ken Bayer, and hoped to snag one of them come draft time.
Sure enough Batavia got a top pick (#3 to be exact) and sure enough they picked Stephens, the 6'2" star from Corvallis, Oregon after Herrera went #2 to Virginia. In what many consider a typical roller coaster career the kid threw a no-hitter in A ball in his second month with the team, quickly climbed the ranks, and made his BLB debut in 1986. In 16 starts he won six games, had a 2.37 ERA, and looked to be the next great thing. As quickly as success found him though it left him. Stephens jumped between AAA and the BLB several times over the next few seasons as he never found that magic he had during his rookie year. Finally in 1991 he was released by Batavia. He played in exactly 21 more games in the BLB before retiring in 1993 and moving back to Oregon, where he now runs an organic farm.
Not all was lost from that day though. The Muckdogs got lucky and with their 2nd round pick (#27 overall) they snagged Bayer as well. At only 5'10 and hailing from Canada many around the league snickered at the new management, and a lot of "Eh" and "Hoser" was heard at ballparks around the nation. He never let it get to him though as he quickly moved his way up to AAA by '86. Called up at age 22 to the BLB around the same time as Stephens, Bayer went 4-4 with 2 saves and a 2.19 ERA to finish out the '86 season. He wanted to be the closer but that job was filled by Roger Simonds, who had posted an amazing line of 50 saves with a 2.00 ERA that season. Bayer stayed patient though, and little did he know that things were about to change.
In 1987 Simonds started out hot but was traded to Davenport in a blockbuster trade that brought over a young Jermaine Ednams and several draft picks, one of them that would later be used to draft Basil Petrohilos. Bayer was immediately given the starter role and was hot from day one. He finished the season with 35 saves, a 1.04 ERA, a .80 WHIP and went to his first All-Star game. At season's end he was awarded the IL Last Call Relief award. Simply put...a star was born.
Since that point Bayer has been the closer every day in Batavia barring one week in 1995 when he pulled a muscle. Over that period he has recorded 393 saves, sported a 2.15 ERA, and has struck out 987 batters. Besides the '87 All-Star game, Ken was selected to be an IL All-Star in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, and 1996. He was also given the prestigious IL Last Call Relief award not only in 1987, but 1988, 1990, 1995, and 1996.
This season once again Bayer is at the top of his game. His 1.47 ERA is second in the IL, only bettered by teammate Petrohilos, and he has anchored a surprisingly shaky Muckdog bullpen. He received 23 of 24 All-Star votes and will represent Batavia for the 7th time. In honor of what Ken Bayer has brought to the Muckdogs over the past 12 seasons, as well as in appreciation of all their fans, the GM has declared July 3, 1997, "Ken Bayer Day". Every fan in attendance at the final home game before the All-Star break will get a commemorative Muckdog shirt with Bayer's name on the back, as well as a 1997 Ken Bayer All-Star card (see image).
"When you think Batavia...you think Ken Bayer," the GM said during the press conference. "Ken is the longest tenured Muckdog on this team and has been here basically as long as I have. I had the pleasure of drafting him and someday I will have the sad job of announcing his retirement. He is the consummate professional and I'm honored to call him a Muckdog."
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