Jesse Baker (pitcher)
| Jesse Baker | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Pitcher | |||
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Born: June 3, 1888 Anderson Island, Washington | |||
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Died: September 26, 1972 (aged 84) Tacoma, Washington | |||
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| MLB debut | |||
| April 23, 1911, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 4, 1911, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 2-7 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.93 | ||
| Strikeouts | 51 | ||
| Teams | |||
Jesse Ormond Baker (June 3, 1888 – September 26, 1972) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago White Sox in 1911 and also spent seven years in the minor leagues. Baker was 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighed 188 pounds.[1]
Career
Baker was born in a log cabin on Anderson Island, Washington.[2] He started his professional baseball career in 1908 with the Northwestern League's Tacoma Tigers. That season, he had a win–loss record of 10-14.[3] In 1909, he played for the Tigers again before being traded to the Spokane Indians in the middle of the season. He went 14-26 to lead the league in losses but also had 249 strikeouts to top the circuit in that category, as well.[2][4]
In 1910, Baker had arguably his best season, as he went 28-10 and led the Northwestern League in innings pitched (335.1) and wins.[5] The American League's Chicago White Sox purchased his release, in August, for $6,000 and two other players.[6]
On April 23, 1911, Baker made his debut with the White Sox and became the first player from Pierce County, Washington, to appear in the major leagues.[1][2] He started eight games for Chicago that year, relieved in 14 games, and finished 2-7 with a 3.93 earned run average. That was the only year he played in the majors.[1]
Baker then spent the next two seasons in the Pacific Coast League, winning a total of 23 games there. He finished his professional baseball career back in the Northwestern League in 1914. Overall, he pitched in 225 minor league games and had a win–loss record of 91-91 to go along with his 2-7 major league mark.[3]
Baker died in Tacoma, Washington, in 1972, and was buried in Mountain View Memorial Park.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Jesse Baker Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- 1 2 3 Blau, Marc H. (2011). Baseball in Tacoma-Pierce County. Arcadia Publishing. p. 51.
- 1 2 "Jesse Baker Minor League Statistics & History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- ↑ "1909 Northwestern League Pitching Leaders". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- ↑ "1910 Northwestern League Pitching Leaders". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- ↑ Spink, Alfred Henry (1911). The National Game. SIU Press. p. 122.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)