The journeyman catcher started in the Reds' organization but made his big league debut in 1998 with the Tigers. He was traded to the Astros in 1999 in one of the mega-deals involving fellow catcher Brad Ausmus.

Bako hit .256 in 73 games during the 1999 season then played in one game during the 2000 season before he was sold to the Marlins. From there, Bako has bounced to the Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Royals, Orioles, Reds and Phillies as a backup catcher and lefthanded hitter off the bench.