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Former Minnesota Twins outfielder Don Baylor passes away

By Benjamin Chase

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 25: Don Baylor coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on during a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 25: Don Baylor coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on during a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Twins lost a member of their 1987 World Series championship team this morning

This season, the Minnesota Twins have been celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1987 World Series championship. Sadly, early this morning, a member of that team, Don Baylor, passed away. He was 68.

Baylor’s career

Don Baylor was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1967 draft out of high school in Texas. He made his major league debut in 1970, but he didn’t find his way into the starting lineup until 1972.

Baylor’s best offensive seasons were with the California Angels, where he played from 1977-1982. During his time with the Angels, he averaged a .262/.337/.448 line with an average of 24 home runs and 15 stolen bases. His best year was 1979, when he won the AL MVP with a .296/.371/.530 line with 36 home runs, 120 runs, 139 RBI, and 22 stolen bases.

Over his major league career, he had 338 home runs and 285 stolen bases to go with a .260/.342/.436 line. He had 3 30+ home run seasons, one 50-steal season, and he was known for his incredible ability (or willingness?) to be hit by pitch as he retired as the career leader in the category.

Baylor was in the final years of his career when the Twins acquired him during the 1987 season. He did not hit a home run during the regular season, but he became very important in the playoffs, specifically the World Series, where he made 5 appearances, with 15 plate appearances, a .385/.467/.615 line, a home run, 3 runs, and 3 RBI.

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Baylor went on to become a very well-respected manager and hitting coach. He managed from 1993-1998 with the Colorado Rockies as their first manager in their franchise’s history, making the postseason in 1995. After serving for one season with the Atlanta Braves as the hitting coach (a season that Chipper Jones credits Baylor with allowing him to win the National League MVP award), Baylor managed the Chicago Cubs for three seasons from 2000-2002.

Before he was hired by the Rockies, Baylor served as the hitting coach with the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. After the Cubs, he moved on to the New York Mets as a bench coach for two seasons. He then served as the hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim through the 2015 season.

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Baylor was diagnosed in 2003 with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Former Yankees pitcher Mel Stottlemyre is a survivor of the same disease. He is survived by his wife, son, and two granddaughters.

Rest in peace, Groove.

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