Background
Born in Killeen, Texas, Bateman grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Born in Killeen, Texas, Bateman grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Listed at 6" 3", 210 pounds, he batted and threw right handed. He signed with the expansion as an amateur free agent in 1962. In 10 seasons he compiled a.230 lifetime batting average, and ended his career with the
Bateman clubbed 22 home runs for the Modesto Colts in 1962, and made the Colt.45s out of spring training the following season as Jim Campbell"s back-up behind the plate.
Campbell, however, sputtered, and soon lost his starting job to Bateman.
On May 17, 1963, Bateman caught the first ever no-hitter in Houston franchise history. Foreign the season, Bateman batted.210 while leading his team with ten home runs and 59 runs batted in.
Bateman split time behind the plate with Jerry Grote in 1964. In 1965, the Colt.45s moved into their new domed stadium team owner Judge Roy Hofheinz dubbed the Astrodome (named in honor of Houston"s importance to the country"s space program).
To match with the meaning of the name, the Colt.45s were renamed the Astros.
His first season with his newly renamed club, Bateman batted only.197 with seven home runs backing up Ron Brand at catcher. Bateman and Brand shared catching duties for the Astros through the 1968 season. On October 14, 1968, Bateman was drafted by the as the sixth overall pick in the 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft.
52 picks later, the Expos selected Brand, and the two resumed their platoon in Montreal.
Like his unique first with the Astros, Bateman also caught the Expos" first no-hitter: the first of Bill Stoneman"s two, on April 17, 1969 against the —in only the ninth game in the franchise"s history. On June 14, 1972, Bateman was traded to the for Tim McCarver.
He was released at the end of the season to make room for rookie prospect Bob Boone behind the plate. Bateman toured with the Fast Pitch softball team from 1977 to 1980.
He acquired his softball skills while playing for the Texas State Amateur Softball Champion Houston Bombers.
