Bumbry was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and graduated from Ralph Bunche High School in King George, Virginia. He attended Virginia State College on a basketball scholarship, which he played for four years. While Bumbry was at Virginia State, the school restarted its baseball program; Bumbry played during his final year, batted .578, and was named the team\'s Most Outstanding Player. Bumbry was in ROTC at Virginia State, obligating him to serve for two years in the US military. Bumbry served in the United States Army and led a platoon during the Vietnam War, receiving the Bronze Star Medal.\n', '

Bumbry was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the 1968 Major League Baseball draft. He started his professional career in 1969 for the Stockton Ports of the Class A California League, where he appeared in 35 games, batting .178 with 3 runs batted in (RBIs) and 10 stolen bases. To fulfill his military service obligation, Bumbry served in the US Army from July 1969 to June 1971, as a platoon leader during the Vietnam War. After his military service completed in 1971, Bumbry appeared in 66 games for the Aberdeen Pheasants of the Class A Northern League, where he batted .336 with 53 RBIs, 6 home runs, and 34 stolen bases. In 1972, Bumbry appeared with two minor league teams; the Asheville Orioles of the Class AA Southern League, and the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League. He appeared in 134 total games for those teams, batting .345 with 57 RBIs, 10 home runs, and 32 stolen bases.\n', '

Bumbry appeared in 9 games for the Orioles late in the 1972 season. His first MLB appearance came on September 5, as a pinch hitter against the New York Yankees; he flied out to center field. After several other pinch hitting and pinch running appearances, Bumbry collected his first hit on October 3, a single against Dick Tidrow of the Cleveland Indians. Bumbry finished the season batting 4-for-11 (.364) with 5 runs scored.\n', '

Return to Al Bumbry Autograph Profile