gold star for USAHOF

24. Harold Baines

24. Harold Baines
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: March 15, 1959 in Easton, MD USA
  • Weight: 175 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: April 10, 1980
  • Final Game: September 27, 2001
  • TSN All-Star - 1985
  • TSN All-Star - 1988
  • Silver Slugger - 1989
  • TSN All-Star - 1989
  • MVP - 1982
  • MVP - 1983
  • MVP - 1984
  • MVP - 1985
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
1981625985732768325668 0.289
 

Drafted with the number one Draft Pick in 1977, Harold Baines made his White Sox debut in 1981.  Baines would never evolve into an excellent (or even average) defensive player, but that is why he stayed in the American League, where he would be regarded as the sweetest hitting Designated Hitter.

It’s true.  Baines swing was considered one of the best in the game.  He would have his first of six straight 20 Home Run seasons in 1982, and two of those years would net him over 100 RBIs.  He would also provide a good Batting Average with two .300 seasons (1984 & 1985), and he was an All-Star in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989.  In that latter season, he was dealt to the Texas Rangers.

He would return for the 1996 season, and he would provide his usual production by batting .311 and 22 Home Runs.  He was on his way to a similar number in 1997, but he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles.  Baltimore traded him back (after he was with Cleveland for a bit), and he finished his career where it started.

As a member of the Chicago White Sox, Baines would tally 1,773 Hits with 221 Home Runs, and 981 Runs Batted In.

Baines entered the Baseball Hall of Fame via the Veteran’s Committee in 2019.  His #3 was also retired by the team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Designated Hitter, Outfield
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 1st Overall in the Amateur Draft 6/7/77.
  • Departed:

    Traded to the Texas Rangers for Players to be Named Later (which would be Joe Bitker and Scott Chiamparino) 7/29/89.

    Acquired (2): Signed as a Free Agent 12/11/95.

    Departed (2): Traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a Player to be Named Later (which would be Juan Batista) 7/29/97.

    Acquired (3): Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Charles Johnson for Miguel Felix, Juan Figueroa, Jason Lakman, and Brook Fordyce 7/29/00.

    Departed (3): Retired after the 2001 Season.
  • Games Played: 1670
  • Notable Statistics: 786 Runs Scored
    1,773 Hits
    320 Doubles
    44 Triples
    221 Home Runs
    981 Runs Batted In
    32 Stolen Bases
    .288/.346/.809 Slash Line
    24.7 bWAR

    6 Playoff Games
    1 Run Scored
    3 Hits
    1 Double
    0 Triples
    0 Home Runs
    0 Runs Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .150/.190/.200 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    All-Star (1985, 1986, 1987 & 1989*)
    Edgar Martinez Award (1987 & 1988)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (1984)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Rightfielder (1985)

    *Baines was traded to the Texas Rangers midway during the season.

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