Courtesy of RedWingsBaseball.com
ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Red Wings are mourning the passing of International League and Red Wings Hall of Famer Don Baylor at the age of 68.
“The Red Wings are deeply saddened by the loss of Red Wings legend Don Baylor and will honor him with a moment of silence beforetonight’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 spent parts of three seasons in Rochester, batting .315 (330-for-1,046) with 67 doubles, 25 triples, 42 home runs, 206 RBI, 235 runs scored and 52 stolen bases in 291 games with the Red Wings, earning post-season All-Star honors in 1970 and 1971. His 52 stolen bases are tied for eighth in franchise history. Baylor helped the 1971 squad to the Junior World Series Championship, leading the team with 31 doubles, 95 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He was inducted into the Hall of Fames for the IL in 2010 and the Red Wings in 1990. Baylor was named the Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year in 1970 and was named to the Red Wings All-Century Team in 2000.
The former second round pick by Baltimore in 1967 played 19 seasons in the major leagues with the Orioles, Athletics, Angels, Yankees, Red Sox and Twins. He was the original manager of the expansion Colorado Rockies from 1993-98 before joining the Chicago Cubs in the same role from 2000-02.
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