With the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol wrapping up their regular season, players are planning their next adventure for the fall/winter baseball season. In this case, first baseman Greg Bird is gearing up for another season with the Melbourne Aces.
Bird, 31, was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 5th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Showing his monstrous power throughout his minor league career, Bird was called up by the Pinstripes in 2017, although he was never the same hitter he once was. Playing from 2015, 2017, and 19, Bird totaled 186 games played, 700 plate appearances, 32 home runs, and 98 RBIs, but his .211 career average and 189 strikeouts certainly did not help him stick around in the majors.
In 2020, Bird signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. On July 31, the Rangers recalled him, but he suffered an injury before appearing in a game. Unfortunately, he was designated for assignment about two weeks later and then released.
Since then, he’s signed minor league contracts with the Phillies, Rockies, Blue Jays, and even the Yankees once again. After a disappointing 2022 season, Bird joined the Quebec Capitales of the Frontier League for 2023. Bird only played in 11 games, where he hit significantly better, hitting .293 with a home run in 44 plate appearances.
At season’s end, Bird joined the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League. The Australian Baseball League runs from November to February, with each team playing 40 games. The 2023-24 season was one of Bird’s best seasons in baseball. Playing in all 40 games, he blasted his league-leading 11 home runs, 40 RBIs, a .277 average, and only striking out 22 times.
After a breakout season in Australia, Bird played in the LMB for the first time in his career, and he did not disappoint. In 72 games, Bird hit a career-best .317, smashing 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, most notably striking out in only 14% of his at-bats.
“I’ve been chasing baseball for a lot of my life; the opportunity to play that pure, local baseball doesn’t come around often. Melbourne is where my heart is,” said Greg Bird on signing for a second season with Melbourne. We will have to see if any other former major leaguers will play in the 2024-25 ABL. Most importantly, Bird is looking to have an impact and continue playing the game he loves.
Photo Credit: Greg Bird #33 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 4, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
