Don Baylor

Power hitter who crowded the plate, won AL MVP in 1979, and reached the World Series in three straight years with three teams.

Don Edward Baylor (June 28, 1949 – August 7, 2017), nicknamed "Groove," was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. During his 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), Baylor was a power hitter known for standing very close to home plate ("crowding the plate") and was a first baseman, left fielder, and designated hitter. He played for six different American League (AL) teams, primarily the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels, but he also played for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox. In 1979, Baylor was an All-Star and won the AL Most Valuable Player Award. He won three Silver Slugger Awards, the Roberto Clemente Award, and was a member of the 1987 World Series champion Minnesota Twins. After his playing career, Baylor managed the expansion Colorado Rockies for six years and the Chicago Cubs for three seasons. He was named NL Manager of the Year in 1995, and was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame.

Quick Facts

Position

Designated hitter
Left fielder
Manager

Bats

Right

Born

28 June 1949

Birthplace

Austin, Texas, U.S.

Died

7 August 2017

Debut league

MLB

Debut date

September 18

Debut year

1970

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.

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.