AUSTIN, Texas (AP & WXXI News) Don Baylor, the 1979 AL MVP with the California Angels who went on to become manager of the year with the Colorado Rockies in 1995, has died. He was 68.
Baylor is also in the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame.
According to the team’s website, Baylor appeared in 15 games for Rochester in 1968 before posting Hall of Fame numbers for the 1970 and 1971 Red Wings. In '70, he batted .327 with 22 home runs, 107 RBI and 26 stolen bases en route to Minor League Player of the Year honors.
He followed up that performance with a .313 average, 20 home runs, 95 RBI and 25 steals for the 1971 Governors' Cup and Junior World Series champs. His career stats as a Red Wing: 291 games, .316 average, 67 doubles, 26 triples, 42 home runs, 206 RBI and 62 stolen bases.
“The Red Wings are deeply saddened by the loss of Red Wings legend Don Baylor and will honor him with a moment of silence before tonight’s game,” Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason said. “Don was one of the best players on one of the best teams in Red Wings history, Joe Altobelli’s 1971 Red Wings Junior World Series Champions. Don was obviously a phenomenal player but off the field he was even a better person who always had a soft spot in his heart for Rochester, Alto, our fans and his teammates. He was always gracious with our requests for his time, most recently returning to Rochester with Bobby Grich in 2010 to be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Becky and the rest of his family.”
Baylor died Monday at a hospital in Austin, Texas, his son, Don Baylor Jr., told the Austin American-Statesman. His wife, Rebecca Baylor, confirmed the death in a statement posted on Major League Baseball's website. He battled multiple myeloma for more than 10 years.
Baylor played in all 162 games in 1979 and finished with career highs in homers (36), RBIs (139), hits (186) and runs (120) while helping the Angels to the American League West title before they lost to Baltimore in the AL championship series.
He was the first manager of the expansion Rockies, leading them to their first playoff appearance in the franchise's third season. He also managed the Chicago Cubs.
