Don Baylor

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Baylor arrived in Anaheim in 1977 as a free agent, reuniting with former Orioles teammate Bobby Grich. His second season with the Angels (1978) saw him post a .255 average with 34 home runs and 99 RBIs while leading the league with 18 hit-by-pitches, finishing seventh in MVP voting. In 1979, Baylor exploded for career highs: 139 RBIs and 120 runs. He secured 20 of 28 first-place votes to win the AL MVP, propelling the Angels to their first division title. His approach was aggressive; he frequently leaned into off-target pitches to reach base without a hit or walk. During the 1982 American League Championship Series against Milwaukee, pitcher Tommy John allowed three runs in the first three innings. Baylor told him, "If you hold them to three runs, I'm personally good for four runs against [Milwaukee starter Mike] Caldwell." He delivered five RBIs as California won 8–3, with John later calling Baylor the team's "catalyst." Baylor spent six seasons in Anaheim, batting .262 with a .448 slugging percentage, 141 home runs, and 523 RBIs.

In Their Own Story

In the 1982 ALCS against the Brewers, the Angels trailed after three innings as Tommy John allowed three runs. Baylor approached the mound and made a bold promise: "If you hold them to three runs, I'm personally good for four runs against [Milwaukee starter Mike] Caldwell." True to his word, Baylor drove in five runs that game, sparking an 8–3 comeback victory. This moment highlighted his reputation as the team's "catalyst" and a hitter who thrived under pressure. Earlier in his tenure, he had built a reputation for crowding the plate, leading the major leagues in hit-by-pitches with 20 in 1976 (with Oakland) and 18 in 1978 (with Anaheim). His friendship with teammate Reggie Jackson was complex; while Jackson warned Baylor about owner George Steinbrenner's harshness before Baylor joined the Yankees, their time in Anaheim showed a different dynamic. Baylor played a plurality of his career games for California, establishing himself as the face of the franchise during their most successful early years.

Reader's Guide

Don Baylor's Angels tenure (1977–1982) was defined by aggressive hitting and leadership. He led the majors in RBIs (139) and runs (120) in 1979, earning AL MVP honors with 20 first-place votes. His style involved crowding the plate to force pitches inside, leading the league in hit-by-pitches multiple times. In the 1982 ALCS, he turned a deficit into a victory by promising pitcher Tommy John four runs and delivering five RBIs in an 8–3 win. Baylor spent six seasons with the Angels, accumulating 141 home runs and 523 RBIs while batting .262 with a .448 slugging percentage. He also managed the franchise later, serving three seasons as manager (though the source specifies his managing tenure was primarily with Colorado and Chicago, noting he was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame). For fans, Baylor represents the era when the Angels first won an AL West title, anchored by a player who valued getting on base at all costs.

Did You Know?

• Baylor led the major leagues with 18 hit-by-pitches in 1978 while playing for the Angels.
• He won the AL MVP Award in 1979, receiving 20 of 28 first-place votes and leading the team to their first AL West title.
• In the 1982 ALCS, he told pitcher Tommy John he would drive in four runs if they held the Brewers to three; Baylor ended up driving in five.
• Baylor spent six seasons with California (1977–1982), playing a plurality of his career games for the team.
• He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame following his career.