RIP Don Baylor

[Steak Snabler]

Good hitter, great hitting coach and so-so manager. He was 68 and had cancer.

Former MLB star, Austin native Don Baylor dies at 68

Never knew about his football background:

Baylor would have become the first black player in University of Texas history but for his decision to turn down a scholarship offer from legendary coach Darrell Royal to pursue a career in baseball.

 

[Gator]

Ranks fourth all time in hit by pitch, but really second in the live-ball era.

 

[da man]

Ranks fourth all time in hit by pitch, but really second in the live-ball era.

That's funny -- the hit by pitch thing is absolutely the first thing that comes to mind when I see or hear the name Don Baylor.

 

[YankeeFan]

Popping up, with men on base, in a close game, is the first thing I think of when I hear his name.

 

[cranberry]

Losing Groove hurts. We'd become pretty good friends over the past 20 years. He was a great ballplayer, a great leader and great human being.

 

[User 149557]

Looking at the all-time HBP list. Craig Biggio should've held on for another year just to get that record. Two away. Took 285 in the back, just to fall two short.

Rizzo has a shot at it if he can play 7-8 more years and get hit 25-30 times each year.

Brandon Guyer just doesn't play enough.

 

[Riptide]

Popping up, with men on base, in a close game, is the first thing I think of when I hear his name.

Stay classy, champ.

 

[swingline]

I was in the office doing an All-Area section the morning the Cubs fired Baylor, and I took over updating the front from the guy who was doing slot to make sure it wasn't ****ed up. That was also the morning Ted Williams died.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

Funniest thing ever said about Don Baylor was by an Oriole teammate of his explaining why DH was the only spot for him: "He can hit, run and lob."