Harold Baines
| Birthdate | 3/15/1959 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1980 |
| Year of Induction | 2019 |
| Teams | Athletics, Indians, Orioles, Rangers, White Sox |
| Positions | Designated Hitter, Right Field |
Harold Baines batted .300 in eight different seasons and .324 in 31 career post-season games. He finished with 2,866 hits in his 22-year career.
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In the collection:
Harold Baines was the #1 pick in the '77 draft; he played for five big league teams
Harold Baines was the #1 pick in the '77 draft; he played for five big league teams
Harold Baines and Ken Griffey Jr. were each the #1 pick overall; Baines in 1977, Junior ten years later. Together they hold the distinction a the only #1’s to perform well enough to gain a plaque in Cooperstown.
Baines spent his first 13 professional seasons with the White Sox organization, ten in the big leagues. At the trade deadline in 1989, Chicago sent him to Texas in a trade that saw Sammy Sosa move from the Rangers to the Windy City. Baines’ time in the Lone Star State lasted just 153 games as the Rangers dealt him the following season.
In the collection is the lineup card that hung in the Texas dugout during Baines’ final game as a member of the Rangers. The game also marked Nolan Ryan’s 700th career start. Baines collected one of only four hits the Rangers had that night off of Angels pitcher Kirk McCaskill who twirled a complete-game shutout.
Harold Baines enjoyed a productive 22-year big league career in the American League
Harold Baines enjoyed a productive 22-year big league career in the American League
Upon his retirement as a player in 2001 Harold Baines ranked 7th in AL history in games played (2,830), and tenth in runs batted in (1,682). He also ranked 7th in league history in grand slams, 4th in 3-homer games, and tied for 7th in walk-off homers.
Despite these numbers, he was never considered a Hall of Famer as evidenced by him topping out at 6.1% on the writers’ ballot.
Baines’ career WAR of 38.7 ranks well below the standard for Hall of Fame outfielders. On the Black Ink test in which the average inductee has a score of 27, Baines comes in with a tally of 3.
As for the Gray Ink measurement, Baines scores 40 while the average HoFer comes in at 144. Bill James’ Hall of Fame Monitor ranks a likely member of Cooperstown at 100; Baines comes in at 66.
The 16-member Veterans Committee that elected him featured his first big league manager Tony LaRussa and the owner of the White Sox team Jerry Reinsdorf.
In the collection is a trio of baseball cards autographed by Harold Baines.
Bill Veeck first saw Baines play in Maryland when Baines was 12; eight years later Veeck drafted him
Bill Veeck first saw Baines play in Maryland when Baines was 12; eight years later Veeck drafted him
Harold Baines was born and raised in Maryland. He played youth baseball on the state’s Eastern Shore.
By the time Baines was 12, his skill on the diamond caught the attention of Bill Veeck, a fellow Eastern Shore resident.
By his senior year at St. Michaels High School in 1977 Baines reached everybody’s radar. That season he hit .532 and was named a High School All-American.
The same month he graduated, Baines’ Maryland connection paid off. Now owner of the Chicago White Sox, Veeck made Baines the first-overall selection of the draft.
Baines played his first decade in the majors with the Pale Hose. In his 22-year big league career he performed for the A’s, Rangers, Indians and for seven seasons, his home state Baltimore Orioles. Two additional stints in Chicago upped his time with the White Sox to parts of 14 seasons.
The 12-year-old boy Marylander Bill Veeck saw play now has a statue outside the home field of the White Sox and a plaque in Cooperstown.
In 2003 Baines received the highest athletic honor his native state provides – induction into the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. He is one of ten Cooperstown men to earn the distinction.
Shown here is a letter from Sam Sibler, the chairman of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. In the October 26, 1962 correspondence Sibler informs 16-year MLB vet Bill Nicholson of his selection for the state’s honor.
Nicholson was a four-time National League All Star. Twice he led the Senior Circuit in home runs and RBI. With three 6.0 WAR campaigns, Nicholson’s career WAR stands at 41.9. He earned votes in MVP balloting five seasons, and finished in the top three for the award in 1943 and 1944.
Nicholson’s career 132 OPS+ is equal to Cooperstown’s Tony Gwynn, Rafael Palmeiro, and one point higher than Rod Carew, and Wade Boggs. He left the game with 1,484 career hits, 235 dingers, and 948 RBI.
I am the niece, of Albert S, Bradley,my Uncle was the Manger of the American Legion Post #70,Talbot Ball. That was the Team Harold use to play on. MY uncle use to pick up Harold Baines,and take him to baseball practice. . My Uncle has since passed, while we were clearing his home out. I found a baseball that was signed by the Team, it also has a signature of Harold Baines. I also have a baseball Glove that contains his signature. We found old a group photo of Talbot Post #70 Team of Harold Baines, someday I would like to get Harold Baines, signature on the old photo. I use to ride along with my Uncle, and Harold Baines,to baseball practice. I wish that my Uncle could have been here to see that Harold,now is in the Hall of Fame . Deep down I believe my always knew Uncle Harold was destined for greatness. From a small home town,to the Hall of Fame,this is An American Story. Hometown player makes it to the big League. Sincerely yours Erika Clough.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story, Erika!
Harold was always one of my favorite players during his playing days. I enjoyed his quiet demeanor….never seeking the spotlight. He let his bat do the talking for him. Never a shred of arrogance. Harold was as classy as they come.
Harold Baines is worthy of HOF induction, BUT I could name a dozen or more that are more worthy and should have been in already much less more worthy than Harold.
Count me among those that think he should not be in the Hall – he was good, but not GREAT. That said – if he had gotten 3,000 hits, I wouldn’t even question it. And maybe he would have if not for the strike in 81 and 94 – he was effected by both. So, I don’t know.