Thursday, March 13, 2014

DON BAYLOR

Don Baylor's Twins career was brief, but memorable.  With the team in a surprising pennant race, Baylor was acquired in a waiver-deadline deal to serve as a veteran bench bat and platoon DH.  He paid off with one swing in the World Series.  With the Twins down 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning of game six, Baylor crushed a two-run, game-tying homer off Cardinals ace John Tudor.  Later in the inning, the Twins added a go-ahead run, and in the next inning they blew the game open.

Baylor had a remarkable career, highlighted by his 1979 AL MVP award.  He has remained in the game as a manager and hitting coach since his playing career ended.  His two months as a Twin is a small blip on his career timeline, but that home run is one of the most significant dingers in team history.

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