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Delbert Oakley "Del" (or "Butch") Bates Jr. (June 12, 1940 – September 24, 2009), was an American professional baseball catcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, in 1970. In 22 career games, he had 8 hits, in 60 at-bats. Bates batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
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.
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.