Bates was born in Kirkland, Washington, in 1940. After graduating from high school, he served four years in the U.S. Navy, as a submariner, stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. After being discharged, Bates was signed by the Los Angeles Angels, as an amateur free agent, in 1963.\n', '

After retiring from baseball, Bates was a longshoreman at the Port of Seattle. He was active in the International Longshore Union, Local 19, until retiring, in 2004. Bates died on September 24, 2009.\n', '

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