Tracking the Pro Career of Paul Bako

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LOUISIANA La. - Paul Bako didn't really know what to expect out of free agency.

For the first time since leaving the UL Ragin' Cajuns back in 1993, the former Lafayette High standout had something to say about where he was going to play baseball.

Putting off several offers to be a back-up catcher, Bako and his agent, Barry Meister, finally heard talk of something more, and they quickly jumped at it.

Consequently, Bako has signed a one-year, $650,000 contract to play with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bako, 32, will share time behind the plate with David Ross, possibly as a left-right platoon. By virtue of being a veteran and left-handed hitter, Bako figures to get most of the starts, a fact that could help him financially. His contract calls for him to receive an additional $25,000 for each of 60, 75, 90 and 100 games started, meaning he could receive as much as $750,000.

"I'm very excited about it,'' Bako said. "I didn't really know what to expect from free agency, because I had never been a free agent before. It all came about pretty quickly. Several other clubs had showed some interest, but none seemed imminent.

"This seemed like a perfect fit. This one seems to give me the best chance to play.''

From the outside eye, things began clicking rapidly when the Dodgers failed to reach an agreement with veteran catcher Brent Mayne by last Saturday's deadline. Bako wasn't concerned about Mayne being an obstacle, though, because he has the same agent as Mayne.

"We kind of knew all along that Brent was going to retire,'' Bako said.

Bako never doubted that he'd get a job somewhere for next season. He was simply looking for the one that would offer him the best opportunity to maximize his at-bats.

Dodger Stadium has long had the reputation of being a pitcher's park, but Bako doesn't feel like that will adversely affect his hitting.

"I loved Chicago, but I'm looking forward to getting out of Wrigley from a hitter's standpoint,'' Bako said. "The grass is short at Dodger Stadium and in most of the stadiums in the N.L. West, which suits me better because I'm more of a line-drive hitter. I'm not a home run hitter.''

Bako also looks forward to catching a Dodgers' pitching staff that is expected to be led by veterans Derek Lowe, Odalis Perez and Jeff Weaver.

"It looks like they've got Lowe and Odalis has been one of the best lefties in the National League over the last couple of years,'' Bako said. "I'm really looking forward to working with that staff.''

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VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The New York Mets plugged a hole in their starting rotation Sunday, acquiring left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii from the Los Angeles Dodgers for catcher Jason Phillips.

Los Angeles has lacked offensive production behind the plate since trading Paul Lo Duca to Florida last July. David Ross entered camp as the incumbent, despite hitting just .170 last season, but is hitless this spring. Former Lafayette High and UL catcher Paul Bako is not known for his bat, either.

Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta has said Bako will make the 25-man roster out of spring training, so Phillips' addition makes Ross' future uncertain. Ross will probably be released or sent to Triple-A Las Vegas.

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[Snuffy]

I hope they give Bako a fair shot at playing regularly. The guy comes from solid stock and if allowed to play everyday would become a much better hitter than he is now. He has come a long way from sitting with his Dad at Lafayette Driller games

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It's hard to imagine a professional baseball player actually feeling fortunate when a knee injury forces him to miss the remainder of the season prior to the All-Star break.

No, former Lafayette High and UL Ragin' Cajun catcher Paul Bako isn't having much fun these days.

He's just beginning the pain of physical therapy after a season-ending surgery on his left knee June 24.

Even worse, he can only watch as his Los Angeles Dodgers continue to struggle through an epidemic of injuries that has landed them in third place in the National League West entering the second half, despite a 40-48 start.

Time off the hard way, though, has allowed Bako to review the big picture. Add up his eight seasons in the Major Leagues, 4 1/2 in the minor leagues, three in college and four in high school and the opportunities for injury as a catcher have been almost too many to count.

And yet this is only Bako's second-ever trip to the disabled list. The first came in 2000 with the Florida Marlins.

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Kevin Foote
kfoote@theadvertiser.com

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Staying in Los Angeles for another try wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world for former Lafayette High and UL Ragin' Cajun catcher Paul Bako. But when old manager Buddy Bell showed interest in him, it made his decision a lot easier. So it'll be now eight different teams in nine Major League seasons for Bako when the Kansas City Royals make it official today that he's signed a one-year contract with their organization. "I'm excited to be able to play for my first manager in the big leagues (in Detroit in 1998),'' Bako said. "In Los Angeles, it just didn't work out. My agent and the Dodgers talked and they were decent about it, but just didn't go quite as far as we had hoped. The rest of the story Kevin Foote kfoote@theadvertiser.com

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Surprise, Ariz. — Paul Bako is happy just to be playing again. Bako homered twice and had four RBIs on Thursday in the Kansas City Royals’ 12-4 victory over a Texas Rangers split squad. The career .239 hitter, best known as the longtime personal catcher for Greg Maddux, missed all but 13 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season because of a knee injury. “It was just one of those days for the home runs,” Bako said. “The best part was feeling like a player again instead of a rehab patient.” Bako’s three-run homer in the second inning, his first of spring training, helped the Royals open a 4-0 lead. Kevin Mench made it 4-1 in the bottom half with his third home run of the spring. Bako added a solo shot as the Royals scored five runs in the fourth. Doug Mientkiewicz, who went 3-for-3, added a two-run single in the inning. Phil Nevin hit his fourth homer of spring training for Texas, a three-run drive. The source of the story

[Turner]

Good to see Bako hitting.

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Paul Bako, who has a partially torn right oblique muscle, on the 15-day disabled list. source

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Paul Bako has done pretty well for a guy who didn't have a job until Feb. 1. Bako came to the Reds as a non-roster free agent. He made the club partially because David Ross started the year on the disabled list. He since has moved into the role of No. 1 catcher and Friday made his eighth start in the Reds' 11 games. "It's a lot of fun," Bako said. "Like I said before, being predominantly a backup, you don't play a lot. To get a chance is a lot of fun." Bako has responded. The Reds' ERA with him in the game was 2.63 going into Friday. Reds manager Dusty Baker has given Bako lots of credit for the early success of rookie pitchers Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez. "Even coming from the minor leagues, I always took pride in how well the pitcher does or doesn't do," Bako said. "I take pride in it. But, at the same time, these guys are the ones throwing the ball. They're doing the job." Bako has held his own at the plate. He had one hit Friday and is batting .346 with a hit in each of his last six games (9-for-19). The job Bako's done has made Ross' return less urgent. Ross was transferred from Sarasota to Triple-A Louisville to continue his rehab assignment. He was going to DH Friday and catch today. The rest of the story BY JOHN FAY JFAY@ENQUIRER.COM

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Former Cajun standout Paul Bako is thriving for the Cincinnati Reds. Bako, who signed with the Reds as a non-roster free agent on Feb. 1, recently became the team's starting catcher as David Ross continues a minor-league rehab assignment. Bako's presence has led to success this season. As of Friday, the Reds had logged a 2.63 ERA with him in the game. After getting one hit on Friday, he was hitting .346 with a hit in each of his last six games, going 9-for-19 over that stretch. The rest of the story Joshua Parrott jparrott@theadvertiser.com