#70 - Don Baylor

What a card: Don Baylor had just completed his second of three seasons with the Yankees when this card arrived. He was New York's primary designated hitter from 1983-85. That "OF" designation on the card is a bit too kind. Baylor played in the outfield 11 times out of 134 games in 1984.

My observation on the front: I'm curious as to what Baylor is looking at while on the on-deck circle.

More opinion from me: Baylor always seems to play, manage and coach for teams I don't like. The only exceptions I can think of are the Angels (1978-82) and the Red Sox (1986-87).

Something you might know: Baylor was the A.L. MVP in 1979 with the Angels. He was hit by a pitch more times than all but three people in the history of the major leagues.

Something you might not know: As a seventh-grader, Baylor was one of three African-American kids to integrate O. Henry Junior High School in Austin, Texas, in 1962. A year later, he was in the second class to integrate Stephen F. Austin High School. One of his classmates was Sharon Connally, daughter of the Texas governor at the time, John Connally. Baylor was in class with Sharon Connally on Nov. 22, 1963, when her father was shot while riding in the same car with President Kennedy, who was fatally wounded. Secret Service members came to Baylor's class to tell Sharon the bad news.

My observation on the front: The write-up is interesting. Robinson operated a sporting goods store during his playing career, and in fact convinced the Orioles to wear solid orange uniforms for two games in 1971. My guess is Baylor was working during the offseason at the sporting goods store at about the same time he was in the minor leagues with the Orioles.

The blog wants to speak now: Just some quick updating in the Movies and News categories. Updates on the blog in general will be rather sporadic over the next few weeks.