Bailey and the Blue Jays

Bailey and the Blue Jays

Bailey had become a fixture both at the Rogers Centre and at the Blue Jays spring training facilities in Dunedin, FL. Front office staff, security, coaches and players all came to know and love Bailey—except for our second baseman Orlando Hudson. I always found it funny that the player known as “The O-Dog” was actually afraid of dogs. Even though Orlando knew that Bailey couldn’t hurt him, he didn’t want any part of him. “Keep that damn dog away from me,” Orlando would say.

Most of Orlando’s teammates knew of his fear and some even took advantage of it by sneaking up behind him making barking noises as if Bailey was right there. Everyone seemed to enjoy watching Orlando hit the roof each and every time.

But Orlando seemed to be the only one who didn’t welcome a dog around the team. Outfielder Reed Johnson and pitcher Ted Lilly also had labs and as a result, took a particular liking to Bailey.

During the 2005 baseball season Melinn and I lived at the SOHO Metropolitan near the stadium. Coincidentally, both Reed and Ted lived in the same building. After many home games the three of us would meet in the park with our dogs so they could run and play. On one evening, I was home with Bailey while Elle was sleeping in her crib. Because I couldn’t leave to take Bailey for a walk, Reed and Ted offered to take Bailey with them. About 20 minutes after they left, I received a nervous call from Ted in the lobby. “Rob, Bailey was bitten by a German Shepherd. But don’t worry, its not bad at all.” When Ted brought Bailey back to the apartment I could see that Bailey had a small nick on his nose—nothing to worry about. “Where’s Reed?” I asked. Apparently, Reed was so mad at the owner of the German Shepherd he got into a heated argument with him and threatened to beat him up. At the time, Reed was so fired up and felt so bad that he had to cool off before returning to the building.

Even though I didn’t see the attack, back at the apartment Bailey’s demeanor was the same as it always was—happy. Bailey was born without the ability to get angry. Whenever another dog was ornery, Bailey seemed to treat it like a game—bouncing back and forth as if the situation was anything but serious. Reed on the other hand, was not so calm. While I am thankful that Reed cared enough about Bailey to stand up for him, I am also grateful that he didn’t put his fist through the other guy’s face. In the end, Bailey avoided serious injury and we all avoided the headlines in the newspapers the next day.