Don Baylor

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Baylor reached the World Series three times in his career, in consecutive years with three different teams. Baylor played in the World Series with the Red Sox in 1986, the Twins in 1987, and the A's in 1988, and he was on the winning side in 1987. Baylor is one of three players in history to accomplish this feat, along with Eric Hinske and Will Smith. He set the Red Sox team record for most hit by pitches in a season (35 in 1986); in his career, he was hit by pitches 267 times, fourth-most all time. Baylor retired with 285 stolen bases, 2,135 hits, and 338 home runs.

In Their Own Story

In the 1982 ALCS against the Brewers, the Angels trailed after three innings as Tommy John allowed three runs. Baylor approached the mound and made a bold promise: "If you hold them to three runs, I'm personally good for four runs against [Milwaukee starter Mike] Caldwell." True to his word, Baylor drove in five runs that game, sparking an 8–3 comeback victory. This moment highlighted his reputation as the team's "catalyst" and a hitter who thrived under pressure. Earlier in his tenure, he had built a reputation for crowding the plate, leading the major leagues in hit-by-pitches with 20 in 1976 (with Oakland) and 18 in 1978 (with Anaheim). His friendship with teammate Reggie Jackson was complex; while Jackson warned Baylor about owner George Steinbrenner's harshness before Baylor joined the Yankees, their time in Anaheim showed a different dynamic. Baylor played a plurality of his career games for California, establishing himself as the face of the franchise during their most successful early years.

Reader's Guide

Baylor spent six seasons with the Angels and played a plurality of his games with the team. In that time, he batted .262 and slugged .448 with 141 home runs and 523 runs batted in. He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame. He did not manage the Angels franchise; his managing career was with the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs.

Did You Know?

• Baylor was one of three African Americans to integrate Texas public schools when he was in junior high school.
• He was the first African American to play athletics at Stephen F. Austin High School.
• Baylor was offered a scholarship to play college football for the Texas Longhorns but opted to pursue baseball.
• He led the Triple-A level in doubles, triples, runs, and games played in 1970.
• Baylor was traded from the Orioles to the Athletics in a deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Baltimore.