Bill Baker
From BR Bullpen
William Presley Baker
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lb.
- Debut May 4, 1940
- Final Game August 1, 1949
- Born February 22, 1911 in Paw Creek, NC USA
- Died April 13, 2006 in Myrtle Beach, SC USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Bill Baker had a seven year career in the major leagues as a catcher, from 1940 to 1949. As a 29-year-old rookie in 1940, he played in 27 games for the World Series champion 1940 Cincinnati Reds where Ernie Lombardi was the regular catcher. He later played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where Al Lopez was the regular catcher, and then for the St. Louis Cardinals, where Del Rice was the regular catcher. He was a Chicago Cubs coach in 1950, and was a major league umpire in 1957.
He went to Boyden High School in Salisbury, NC, where he was a star catcher. He played semi-pro ball after high school. Baker entered the Army in March, 1944 and was discharged in December 1945. After his baseball career, he worked for Raney Motor Company and then Aaron Chevrolet.
One source says he roomed with Willard Hershberger in 1940, another catcher on the Cincinnati Reds team who committed suicide in August that year.
[edit] Notable Achievement
- Won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1940
