Glen Barker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen Barker |
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Barker (left) with the Somerset Patriots in 2018
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: May 10, 1971 Albany, New York, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 7, 1999, for the Houston Astros | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 7, 2001, for the Houston Astros | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .232 | ||
| Hits | 38 | ||
| Stolen bases | 30 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Glen F. Barker, born on May 10, 1971, is a former American baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Barker spent three seasons with the Houston Astros. He was known for his amazing speed and defense. The Astros often used him as a pinch runner. This means he would run the bases for another player.
Glen Barker has a very unusual record in baseball. He scored more runs (53) than he had hits (38) in his career! He is also one of only seven players to play in more games than he had chances to bat. Today, he works as a scout for the Astros. A scout helps find new talented players.
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Playing Career Highlights
Glen Barker went to Albany High School. He then played baseball at the College of Saint Rose. This college was special because its league used wooden bats. Most college leagues use metal bats.
Joining the Pros
The Detroit Tigers picked Barker in the 1993 amateur draft. He was known for his incredible speed. He stole 238 bases in his minor league career! Barker played for the Tigers' minor league teams. He reached their highest minor league team, the Toledo Mud Hens.
In 1998, the Houston Astros chose Barker in the MLB Rule 5 draft. This rule meant he had to stay on the Astros' main roster. If he didn't, the Tigers could take him back. So, Barker spent the entire 1999 season with the Astros.
The "Killer B's" Team
Because his last name started with "B," Glen Barker became part of the Astros' famous "Killer B's" group. This group included star players like Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. These players helped the Astros become a top team in the 1990s.
In 1999, the Astros had eight players whose last names started with "B." This was a fun fact for baseball fans! Besides Barker, there were Bagwell, Paul Bako, Derek Bell, Sean Bergman, Lance Berkman, Biggio, and Tim Bogar.
Barker's Role with the Astros
The Astros used Barker mostly as a pinch runner. Sometimes, he would also be a pinch hitter. In 1999, he played in 81 games. He had a good batting average of .288. He also stole 17 bases that season.
Barker scored 23 runs and had 21 hits in 1999. He even played in two playoff games against the Atlanta Braves. In those games, he stole a base and scored a run.
Later Seasons and Retirement
In 2000 and 2001, Barker split his time between the Astros and their minor league team. He struggled more with his hitting during these years. The Astros loved his speed, but they wanted his batting to improve. They released him after the 2001 season.
After leaving the Astros, Barker played for a few other teams. He was with the Montreal Expos and the Boston Red Sox. He also played in the Mexican League. In 2003, he played a few games for the Somerset Patriots. He then joined the Baltimore Orioles minor league team. After that, Glen Barker retired from playing baseball.
Life After Baseball
Glen Barker is married and lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. After his playing career, he stayed involved in baseball. He worked as an outfield and baserunning coach for the San Diego Padres. He also served as a hitting coach for the Somerset Patriots. Today, he is a scout for the Houston Astros.
