"Off the field he is a humanitarian whose nickname is 'Groove,' and on the field he has earned a different name for his brutal treatment of opposing pitchers. This is the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde style of Mr. Don Baylor. Before the start of the 1985 season Don was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award, presented for outstanding and meritorious service both on and off the field. During the season he smashed 23 home runs and his 91 RBIs were among the league leaders.
'I tell myself that I want to be up there with the game on the line,' said Baylor, who proved his clutch ability by collecting his high RBI total with only 110 hits. Opposing pitchers have tried to slow Baylor down by throwing at him, but to no avail. Not only did Baylor continue to hit, in 1985 he set a new A.L. hit-by-pitch record. Ouch!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"The regular designated from April through July, Baylor was platooned with lefty Dan Pasqua through August and September. He had 18 homers, 67 RBIs and batted .246 through July 31- he had five homers, 24 RBIs and batted .203 the remainder of the season. Baylor had 91 RBIs on 110 hits and hit 20+ homers for the eighth time in his career. He was selected to the Sporting News AL All-Star team as the designated hitter.
Don recorded his 1,000th career RBI with a two-run homers off Boston's Dennis Boyd on April 23. He hit grand slams on May 11 at Kansas City off Bud Black and on July 11 (as a pinch hitter) off Texas' Chris Welsh, and another pinch-hit homer came on September 1 against California off Al Holland. Don hit two home runs on May 23 at Seattle and had five RBIs in the May 11 game against the Royals. He hit homers on consecutive days on May 10-11 at Kansas City and June 6-7 at Milwaukee.
He tied the AL record for hit-by-pitch in a season with 24, shared with Norm Elberfeld (1911) and Bill Freehan (1968). Baylor set the AL record for most hit-by-pitch in a career, surpassing Minnie Minoso's previous mark of 189- he entered '85 with 168 and no. 22 came on August 29 against California. Don has been hit-by-pitch 192 times in his career.
Don enjoyed his best season in 1979 when he was named the American League MVP, leading the league with 139 RBI, 120 runs and 162 games played while batting a career high of .296 with career highs of 186 hits, 33 doubles and 36 homers. During his six seasons with California, he hit 141 home runs, becoming the Angels all-time career home run leader; he ranks among the Angels top 10 in 10 different offensive categories.
Following 1979, he played in only 90 games in 1980, slowed by a fractured left wrist and a dislocated middle toe on his left foot. In 1982 he helped lead California to the AL West Division title and led the AL with 21 game-winning RBIs.
Baylor enjoyed a successful premier season with the Yankees in 1983. Used primarily as a designated hitter, he led the team in doubles, stolen bases and hit-by-pitch. Don hit over .300- a career first- and won an American League Silver Bat as a DH. In 1984, he led the club by being hit-by-pitch 23 times and came within one of the AL single season record. He hit career home run 250 on June 26 off Detroit's Sid Monge.
Don was originally signed by the Orioles in 1967, and in 1970 was named Minor League Player of the Year. After four [full] seasons with Baltimore he was traded to Oakland as part of a deal including Reggie Jackson. Don played out his option with the A's in 1976, signing a six-year contract with California that fall. He served as the Angels player representative for three seasons.
A native of Austin, Texas, he attended Miami Dade Junior College and Blinn Junior College (Brenham, TX). For the last six seasons Don has raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was the 1985 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
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