Frank Baker (outfielder) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Baker |
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Frank Baker, Topps 1971
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: January 11, 1944 Bartow, Florida |
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| Died: January 28, 2010 (aged 66) Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| debut | |||
| July 27, 1969, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 29, 1971, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .232 | ||
| Home runs | 4 | ||
| Runs batted in | 38 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Frank Baker Jr. (born January 11, 1944 – died January 28, 2010) was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Baker played for the Cleveland Indians during the 1969 and 1971 seasons. He was about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 180 pounds. Frank Baker batted with his left hand and threw with his right hand.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Frank Baker Jr. was born in Bartow, Florida. He grew up and played high school baseball in Somerset, New Jersey. He attended Franklin High School. Baker was so good at sports that he was even added to their Football Hall of Fame.
In 1964, Frank Baker signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians. He played for their minor league teams for three years. Minor league teams help young players get ready for the big leagues.
Serving His Country
After playing in the minor leagues, Frank Baker joined the United States Army. He served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. He reached the rank of private first class.
Major League Baseball Career
After leaving the Army in 1969, Frank Baker returned to baseball. He spent most of that season with the Waterbury Indians. He played very well, hitting for a .312 batting average in 84 games. A batting average shows how often a player gets a hit.
Debut with the Cleveland Indians
Because of his strong performance, Baker was called up to the Cleveland Indians. He made his first Major League Baseball appearance on July 27, 1969. In 52 games for Cleveland that year, he had a .256 batting average.
Later Seasons
In 1970, Frank Baker played for the Wichita Aeros. This was another minor league team. The next year, in 1971, he split his time between the Indians and the Aeros. He played his last season in baseball in 1972. He played for the Salt Lake City Angels, a Triple-A team.
Career Highlights and Statistics
During his time with the Cleveland Indians, Frank Baker played in 125 games. He had a .286 batting average. He also hit four home runs. A home run is when a player hits the ball and runs around all the bases to score a point. He also had 38 runs batted in (RBI). An RBI means a player helped another teammate score a run.
In his seven years playing in the minor leagues, Baker played in 703 games. He had a .284 batting average. He hit 51 home runs and had 235 runs batted in.
Later Life and Legacy
Frank Baker passed away in Raleigh, North Carolina, on January 28, 2010. He was 66 years old. He died due to problems from heart failure. He is buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
