Baseball (MLB) selected Bando in the sixth round of the 1965 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut for the Athletics in 1966. Manager Hank Bauer named Bando team captain on May 30, 1969. He was named the starting third baseman for the American League in the 1969 MLB All-Star Game. During the "Swingin' A's" era of 1971 to 1975, Bando was named to three consecutive MLB All-Star Games (1972–1974) and led the American League with 64 extra-base hits, 32 doubles, and 295 total bases in the 1973 season. After the 1976 season, Bando became a free agent. He signed a five-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Milwaukee Brewers. During spring training in 1981, he announced that it would be his last season. Bando batted 5-for-17 (.294) with three doubles in the 1981 American League Division Series, Milwaukee's first MLB postseason appearance. Bando retired after the 1981 season. In a 16-season career, Bando had a .254 batting average with 242 home runs and 1,039 RBIs in 2,019 games played. Post-playing career After retiring, Bando became a special assistant to Milwaukee's general manager, Harry Dalton, focusing on scouting and coaching during spring training. He served in the part-time position until 1991. He served as a color analyst for NBC, teaming with Bob Costas in 1982. Bando was named the team's general manager on October 8, , succeeding Dalton. That month, he fired manager Tom Trebelhorn and hired Phil Garner, a former teammate with the Athletics, to succeed him; Garner had no managerial experience. Bando and Garner had only one winning team, the 1992 Brewers. After the 1992 season, the club did not negotiate with free agent Paul Molitor or offer him salary arbitration until close to the deadline. At the time, Bando said that the team would view Molitor as a designated hitter rather than a position player. Molitor, who had entered the offseason wanting to re-sign with the Brewers, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, who won the 1993 World Series with Molitor named the World Series MVP. Bando held his position as GM until August 12, , resigning the position after Garner was fired. Bando was replaced by former Atlanta Braves assistant GM Dean Taylor. Bando did a voice cameo in the 2006 episode of The Simpsons titled "Regarding Margie." Bando was CEO of The Middleton Doll Company, a Columbus, Ohio, enterprise with multiple other businesses associated with