Charles baker

Charles Baker

• Bats Unknown, Throws Left
• Height 5' 9", Weight 181 lb.
• Debut April 28, 1901
• Final Game May 13, 1901
• Born July 17, 1878 in Watervliet, NY USA
• Died August 17, 1940 in New York, NY USA

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Biographical Information

Very little is known about Charles Baker, whose nickname is recorded as "Smiling Bock". Charles pitched two games in the 1901 season, the first for the Cleveland Blues and the second for the Philadelphia Athletics. In his first game, Baker allowed 23 hits (all singles} to the Chicago White Sox, second most in a career debut to the 26 hits allowed by Allan Travers when Travers was pressed into service as one of a team of emergency replacements for the striking players of the Detroit Tigers in 1912. So, among "legitimate" professional ballplayers, Baker holds the modern era record for most hits allowed in a career debut game.

Prior to his brief major league career, Baker had played three minor league seasons, in the Canadian League in 1898 and 1899, and in the American League in 1900, posting a 24-23 record with 5.49 RA over 461 IP.

Related Sites

• Charlton's Baseball Chronology - 1901