Gene Baker
Encyclopedia
Eugene Walter Baker was an American
Major League Baseball
player. A native of Davenport, Iowa
, he primary played second base for the Chicago Cubs
and Pittsburgh Pirates
. He was selected for the National League
All Star game in 1955. He played eight seasons from 1953 to 1958 and 1960 to 1961, threw and batted right-handed, and was listed at 6 in 1 in (1.85 m), 170 pounds (77.1 kg). Baker was a reserve infielder for the 1960 World Series
champion Pirates and made three pinch-hit appearances during the Series.
In 1961, Baker became the first African-American manager
in Organized Baseball
when the Pirates named him skipper of their Batavia Pirates farm club in the New York-Penn League. In 1962, he became the first black coach in Organized Baseball when the Pirates named him player-coach of their Triple-A International League
affiliate Columbus Jets
. In 1963, the Pirates promoted him to coach on the Major League team. He was the second black coach in the big leagues, following Buck O'Neil
by a half-season. Baker then spent many years as a scout for the Pirates.
He died in Davenport at the age of 74.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. A native of Davenport, Iowa
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, he primary played second base for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He was selected for the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All Star game in 1955. He played eight seasons from 1953 to 1958 and 1960 to 1961, threw and batted right-handed, and was listed at 6 in 1 in (1.85 m), 170 pounds (77.1 kg). Baker was a reserve infielder for the 1960 World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
champion Pirates and made three pinch-hit appearances during the Series.
In 1961, Baker became the first African-American manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in Organized Baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
when the Pirates named him skipper of their Batavia Pirates farm club in the New York-Penn League. In 1962, he became the first black coach in Organized Baseball when the Pirates named him player-coach of their Triple-A International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
affiliate Columbus Jets
Columbus Jets
The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the International League. From 1955-56 they were the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City...
. In 1963, the Pirates promoted him to coach on the Major League team. He was the second black coach in the big leagues, following Buck O'Neil
Buck O'Neil
John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil was a first baseman and manager in the Negro American League, mostly with the Kansas City Monarchs. After his playing days, he worked as a scout, and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball...
by a half-season. Baker then spent many years as a scout for the Pirates.
He died in Davenport at the age of 74.