Tom Baker (Chicago Cubs)

Infobox MLB retired
name = Tom Baker
bgcolor1=#dcdcdc
bgcolor2=#dcdcdc
textcolor1=black
textcolor2=black


position = Relief pitcher
number = n/a
bats = Left
throws = Left
birthdate = May 6, 1934
city-state| Port Townsend|Washington
deathdate = death date and age|1980|3|9|1934|5|6
city-state|Port Townsend|Washington
debutdate = August 2
debutyear = 1963
debutteam = Chicago Cubs
finaldate = September 14
finalyear = Baseball Year|1963
finalteam = Chicago Cubs
statyear = Career
stat1label = Win-Loss
stat1value = 0-1
stat2label = E.R.A.
stat2value = 3.00
stat3label = Strikeouts
stat3value = 14
teams =
*Chicago Cubs (Baseball Year|1963)

Thomas Henry "Tom" Baker (born May 6 1934 in Port Townsend, Washington) is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs in 1963.

Career

In by|1954, Baker was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals. [citeweb|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bakerto02.shtml#TRANS|publisher=www.baseball-reference.com|title=Transactions of Tom Baker|accessdate=2008-06-30] After years in the Cardinals system, Baker was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the minor league draft in 1959. However, two years later Baker was again in the minor league draft, this time being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. In 1963, Baker was sent to the Washington Senators as part of a conditional deal. Baker didn't stay in Washington long. On March 26th, 1963, just about three months after being sent to the Senators, Baker was sent back to the Orioles. About two months later, on May 27th, 1963, Baker was purchased from the Orioles by the Chicago Cubs. It was in Chicago where Baker spent the remainder of his career.

Baker made his major league debut on August 2, by|1963 with the Cubs at age 29. On that day, Baker faced only one batter, Willie McCovey. Baker was pulled after hitting McCovey with a pitch. This made Baker one of the few pitchers to hit the first batter they ever faced. [citeweb|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196308020.shtml|title=Results of San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs game on August 2, 1963|accessdate=2008-06-30] The Cubs won the game 12-11. Baker played his final major league game for the Cubs on September 14, by|1963. During Baker's time in the majors, he was one of four left handed pitchers on the Cubs staff, the others being Dick Ellsworth, Jim Brewer, and Dick LeMay. [citeweb|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1963.shtml|publisher=www.baseball-reference.com|title=1963 Chicago Cubs Statistics and Roster|accessdate=2008-07-01]

At the time of his retirement, Baker had earned a career earned run average of 3.00. He finished with 18 innings pitched, striking out 14 batters, and playing in a total of 10 games. He allowed 20 hits, 2 home runs, and 7 walks. Baker's lifetime record was 0-1. Baker came to bat only three times in his career, recording a batting average of .000. His lifetime fielding percentage is 1.000.

References

External links

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