Floyd Baker

Floyd Wilson Baker (October 10, 1916 – November 17, 2004) was an American professional baseball third baseman, who played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Browns (1943–1944), Chicago White Sox (1945–1951), Washington Senators (1952–1953), Boston Red Sox (1953–1954), and Philadelphia Phillies (1954–1955). During a 13-season career, Baker posted a .251 batting average, with one home run, and 196 RBI, in 874 games played.[1]

For the former Alberta politician, see Floyd M. Baker.
Floyd Baker
Third baseman/Second baseman
Born: (1916-10-10)October 10, 1916
Luray, Virginia
Died: November 17, 2004(2004-11-17) (aged 88)
Youngstown, Ohio
Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 4, 1943, for the St. Louis Browns
Last MLB appearance
May 4, 1955, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Batting average.251
Home runs1
Runs batted in196
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early years

Baker was born in Luray, Virginia, and attended Luray High School. He gained early recognition as a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower in amateur clubs and broke into the minor leagues in 1938.[2]

Major league career

In 1943, Baker earned his first trial in the major leagues with the St. Louis Browns, after hitting .326 for a minor league club at San Antonio, Texas, in 1942.[2] Two seasons later, Baker was playing with the Chicago White Sox, where his first batting mark was .317 in 1950. The previous year, he led the American League for fielding, with .978.[2] His best statistical season came in 1949 when he achieved a .251 batting average, 40 RBI, 101 hits, 15 doubles, 4 triples, and played 125 games—all career-highs. Also in 1949, he tied the major league mark for first baseman, taking part in three double plays in one game.[2]

In 1961, he was hired as the third base coach for the Minnesota Twins, a position he held until 1964. Baker served as a scout for the Twins until his retirement in 1995.

Later years

During his career as a scout, Baker was based in Youngstown, Ohio, where his feats as a player for the Youngstown Browns were part of local baseball lore.[3] In 1977, The Youngstown Vindicator reported: "Floyd Baker, who thrilled local Middle-Atlantic League fans with his classy fielding, still has his hand in the game. A local resident, Baker scouts for Minnesota. Baker, incidentally, started a triple play in the first game he played here".[2]

Floyd Baker died in Youngstown at the age of 88. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

References
  1. Nowlin, Bill. "Floyd Baker". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  2. The Vindicator, Youngstown, Ohio, November 17, 2004.
  3. "Floyd Baker dies at age 88; played for five MLB teams". The Vindicator. November 17, 2004. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
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