As I was doing some historical research for this site the other day I was saddened to find out that former Twins catcher Bud Bulling had passed away this past March 8th in Salem, Oregon at the age of 61.
Terry Charles “Bud” Bulling was born on December 15, 1952 in Lynwood, California and was drafted as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins in the 14th round of the June 1974 amateur draft. Ironically the only other player drafted by Minnesota that year that went on to play for the Twins was another catcher that the Twins drafted in the second round, Butch Wynegar.
Bulling worked his way up through the Twins farm system and got his first call to the big leagues at the age of 24 to back up the Twins starting catcher who was none other than Butch Wynegar. Bulling made his big league debut on July 3, 1977 in the Twins 6-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park. In his only at bat that day Bud struck out against knuckleballer Wilbur Wood. Bud spent the remainder of the 1977 with Minnesota as the back-up catcher and appeared in 15 games hitting .156 in 32 at bats while knocking in 5 RBI with his 5 hits. Bulling spent the 1978 season with AA Orlando. In March of 1979 Bulling was purchased from the Twins by the Seattle Mariners.
Bulling spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons in the minors with the Spokane Indians before returning to the bigs in 1981. He caught Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry‘s 300th win in the Kingdome on May 6, 1982 going 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI in the 7-3 win over the New York Yankees. After spending all of 1981 and 1982 with the Seattle Mariners Bud started the 1983 season hitless in 5 at-bats and was sent down to the AAA Salt Lake City Gulls where he played out his final season in pro ball. After leaving pro ball Bulling enjoyed spending time and traveling with his mother Iada.
Bud Bulling passed away on March 8, 2014 in Salem, Oregon at the age of 61 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was survived by his mother Iada Bulling, his son’s Casey and Joshua and his three mullions (nieces) Sheri, Kandi, and Kerri.
Thank you for the memories Bud Bulling and may you rest in peace. We at Twins Trivia and Twins fans everywhere would like to pass on our condolences to the Bud Bulling family and their friends.
I spent a few minutes today talking with Bud’s teammate Mike Cubbage and he shared a story about Bud with me that you can listen to here.
Follow up – Mike Cubbage was kind enough to give his bat to the Bulling family so they can treasure it as a family keepsake. What a wonderful thing to do! Here is a nice photo after the family received the bat, the smiles tell you all you need to know.
Bud was my roommate and fraternity brother at Cal State L A. I have many stories and photos of Bud. We lost touch but I followed his baseball career for a while. I would love to hear about his life. He was always the life of the party. I admired him so much I gave him 2 baseballs autographed by the New York Yankees in the 1950’s. Wonder if they’re still around? Miss him a lot but nice to know he was so loved. Sincerely, Duffy Dignam. Phi Alpha Brother
Duffy, thank you for stopping by and sharing your memories. If you have stories and or pictures of Bud that you wish to share here please drop me a line at jjswol@twinstrivia.com . Thank you. John
I met Iada Bulling a few months back as my mom moved into the independent living facility that Iada lives at. I saw her , I think it was the very first day I went into the facility.
She was a magnet to me. A nice smile to greet you with and a very warm countenance. Well we chatted a little and then I’d see her occasionally and we’d chat some more. One day my mom says “Iada says next time you’re in the building to come and see her and cheer her up”. So a few days later I was getting ready to leave and I had a little time so I went up to her room to visit with her.
I see this baseball uniform in a frame hanging on the wall with the name “Bulling” on the back. So me, being an old baseball player (high school), when I was growing up had to inquire. Lo and behold a whole fantastic story was told of a mother and her professional baseball player son Terry Bud Bulling.
What great memories she had to share about their time together – only broken by the sadder times when Bud was sick with cancer and his battle with that tough medical condition.
I was so excited to have met a mom – and to hear her recollections – of a professional baseball player – something I always aspired to achieve – what a great baseball story and a even greater story of the love between a mother and her son.
Such a wonderful, wonderful lady. Every chance I get I sit down and chat with her. She had ran out of Bud’s baseball cards, which she gives out with enthusiasm – especially to younger kids – and so I took the little time and at minimal cost to myself I got her a dozen or so cards, including two Gaylord Perry 300th game cards with him and Bud on the card.
Iada still mourns Terry’s loss and if any of you out there in baseball land would have the time to put down a line or two in memory of Terry I will show Iada your posts. She is in her 90’s now but you’re never to old to get a gift such as that!!
It would mean a great deal to her.
if you reply to my post the webmaster can ship them to me.
russ buswell
Wow Russ, thank you so much for your wonderfully kind and touching post! I miss my uncle buddy and my grandmother everyday and I appreciate you taking the time to visit with her 🙂 Thankyou, thank you, thank you!
Kindest regards,
Sher Lynne
So your the one that gave those to her! Thank you. I am the one who had the shirt made for her with the help of MLB. That place is a good place for her. Who is your mom?
Today I was recalling baseball memories, and was saddened to see that my summertime big brother, Bud Bulling passed away last year. Bud played for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots back in 1973, and our family hosted him in Anchorage, Alaska for the summer. He was a standout player for the Glacier Pilots, leading the team in doubles and home runs that year.
I have many great memories spending time with Bud in Anchorage. He was a great summertime big brother, and kept me out of trouble more often than not :).
Please give my condolences to his mother from the Fisher family.
Warm regards,
Todd Fisher
I only knew Terry Bulling as “Buddy Bulling!” We grew up together in Lynwood, CA. We only lived a couple of blocks away from his family and knew them all well. We went to elementary school together His dad, “Bud Sr.” was a great man. His mom, Iada was a wonderful lady as well. When my family moved to Oregon, the Bulling Family, including Buddy, would come up for a week or 2 every summer and we would all go camping and fishing together. Good times, good people. My parents have kept in touch with Iada all these years. She still lives in Oregon.
Ken, Thank you for sharing your memories and fun times with us.
Bud and I knew each other 1977-1980. I remember visiting him and his family (Brother, Sister-In-Law, nieces and nephews) in Riverside, CA. in 1979. I just found out that he passed away and want his family to know they have my condolences. He was a great guy.
I am shocked and saddened reading that my college catcher Terry Bud passed on.. I played with Terry at CSLA as a pitcher. He was one heck of a ball player and I will always have fond memories of those days on that special team that he captained.
Prayers to the family.
John Engelke
Terry was a great man I played softball with him. Had a lot of fun and went to a lot of mariners baseball games because of him. I learned the game from him. Thanks Bud
Bud and I did some crazy things while playing college ball at Golden West in Huntington Beach, California. He had a Baja Bug that he loved to drive and boy did we have some fun in that. As friends often do we really didn’t keep in contact over the years but I’ll always consider Bud a great friend and he will be deeply missed and I will always remember that crazy unforgettable laugh and smile. Miss ya Bud.
Thank you for sharing your memories Dennis.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories. We miss him everyday; especially Grandma. Have a great day Sir.
Thank you for your kind words and remembering our wonderful Uncle Buddy.
Thank you for posting this. You did a great job.
Thank you for YOUR help Kerri.