Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg community is deeply saddened by the passing of Lynchburg alumni and one of the all-time winningest managers in Minor League Baseball, Welby "Buddy" Bailey '79. He passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the age of 68.

Bailey, a 1990 inductee to the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame, had a significant impact on the Hornets' baseball team and the Lynchburg community as a whole. He earned numerous All-ODAC honors and was named a First Team All-American in 1977. After graduating, he was drafted by the Braves in 1979 and played four seasons in their system. 

In 1983, he began his managing career with the Pulaski Braves. Bailey continued his managerial career for nearly four decades, concluding his long-standing campaign following the 2024 season. He previously managed the Lynchburg Red Sox in the early 1990s. In 2016, he guided the Myrtle Beach Pelicans to the Carolina League championship. 

Bailey was awarded International League Manager of the Year twice (1996, 2003) while coaching at the Triple-A level, one of only four skippers to ever achieve the accolade two times. He amassed 2,417 regular-season victories over his Minor League managerial career. Prior to his retirement in 2024, he was the winningest active manager of all time. He now ranks fourth in the MiLB record books for most managerial wins ever. 

Additionally, he found astounding success at the international level in the Venezuelan league, being named LVBP Manager of the Year in the 2006-07 season. He turned the Tigres franchise into one of the most dominant dynasties in the league's history, leading the club to six LVBP championship titles and over 500 wins. In 2009, he led the team to its first ever Caribbean Series Championship.

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