Harold Baines

Harold Baines: Hall of Fame designated hitter and White Sox legend.

Harold Douglas Baines (born March 15, 1959) is an American former designated hitter and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for five American League (AL) teams from 1980 to 2001, and is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox. A Maryland native, he also played seven years with his hometown team, the Baltimore Orioles, over three separate periods. The first overall selection in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft and a six-time All-Star, Baines led the AL in slugging percentage in .

He held the White Sox team record for career home runs from until Carlton Fisk passed him in ; his total of 221 remains the club record for left-handed hitters, as do his 981 runs batted in (RBI) and 585 extra base hits with the team. His 1,688 hits and 1,643 games as a DH stood as major-league records until David Ortiz broke them in and . He also held the mark for career home runs as a DH (236) until Edgar Martínez passed him in .

Quick Facts

Position: Designated hitter; Right fielder
Born: 15 March 1959
Birthplace: Easton, Maryland, U.S.
Bats: Left
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: April 10
Debut year: 1980
Debut team: Chicago White Sox

Lore & Background

One of the most durable, consistent, and respected hitters of his era, Baines batted over .300 eight times and hit .324 in 31 career postseason games, topping .350 in five separate series. Upon his retirement, he ranked seventh in AL history in games played (2,830) and 10th in RBI (1,628). Noted as well for his power hitting in clutch situations, he was tied for seventh in AL history in grand slams (13), fourth in three-home-run games (three), and tied for seventh in major league history in walk-off home runs (10). He served as a coach with the White Sox from 2004 to 2015 before moving into a role of team ambassador and spring training instructor. Baines was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Today's Game Era Committee as part of the class of 2019.

Reader's Guide

Baines ended the longest game in major league history (eight hours and six minutes over 25 innings on successive evenings) with a walk-off home run against the Milwaukee Brewers' Chuck Porter on May 8, 1984; the bat he used is currently kept at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Designated Hitting Standard

Knee problems beginning in 1986 forced Baines to become a regular designated hitter, a role he mastered for over a decade. He held major-league records for career hits (1,688) and games played (1,643) as a DH until David Ortiz broke them in 2013 and 2014. His total of 236 home runs as a DH stood as the record until Edgar Martínez passed him in 2004.

A Career Defined by Chicago and Clutch Performance

Baines played three separate stints with the White Sox, holding club records for left-handed hitters: 221 home runs, 981 RBIs, and 585 extra-base hits. The team retired his #3 on August 20, 1989, while he was still active; the number was un-retired each time he returned. He batted .324 in 31 career postseason games, topping .350 in five separate series. He is tied for seventh in major league history with 10 walk-off home runs.

From High School Phenom to Hall of Famer

Raised in St. Michaels, Maryland, Baines was scouted by White Sox owner Bill Veeck at age 12. He graduated high school in 1977 batting .532 and became the first overall selection in the draft, receiving a $32,000 signing bonus. Upon retirement, he ranked seventh in AL history in games played (2,830) and 10th in RBI (1,628). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Today's Game Era Committee as part of the class of 2019.

Defining Moments and Post-Playing Legacy

On May 8, 1984, Baines ended the longest game in major league history (eight hours and six minutes) with a walk-off home run against Chuck Porter; the bat is kept at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He served as a White Sox coach from 2004 to 2015, including four games as interim manager in August 2004. As a coach in 2005, he earned a World Series ring when the White Sox won the title. He later moved into roles of team ambassador and spring training instructor.