West Enfield Park in Austin, TX being renamed Don Baylor Park ceremony, celebration. Saturday 10 Am February 28th, 2026.
Please attend this event in person, which will formally change the name of Westenfield to "Don Baylor Park" and unveil a historic marker in honor of Don Baylor. As the invitation says, Baylor was "a Clarksville native who overcame segregation to become a baseball legend."
Note that at the end of the invite, there is a form to complete if you plan on attending Saturday's event.
Mary
Mary Reed
Austin, TX
"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." Martin Luther King, Jr.
The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. Martin Luther King, Jr.
RSVP: Don Baylor Celebration - Feb 28
Join us on February 28th at 10:00 AM at the unveiling of the historical marker in the newly renamed Don Baylor Neighborhood Park (2008 Bridle Path, Austin, TX 78703). A celebratory reception will be held immediately following the ceremony at the nearby Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church (1725 W 11th St, Austin, TX 78703)
Don Baylor was one of the most respected and toughest competitors of his era—an MVP slugger who later became a World Series–winning manager and coach.
Here’s what you should know about his life, playing career, and legacy:
There will be limited parking available at the park along Bridle Path and Sharon Ln. or on the other side of the park along Winsted Ln.
Alternatively, attendees can park at the nearby church and shuttle to the park, and shuttle back to the reception afterwards. We will need an accurate headcount to plan for the shuttle. Click here to register.
Don Baylor was one of the most respected and toughest competitors of his era—an MVP slugger who later became a World Series–winning manager and coach.
Here’s what you should know about his life, playing career, and legacy:
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Early Life
Born: June 28, 1949 – Austin, Texas
Died: August 7, 2017 (multiple myeloma)
Grew up in Texas and became a standout athlete at Austin High School.
Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1967 but didn’t stick there long—his breakthrough would come elsewhere.
Playing Career (1970–1988)
Teams Played For
Baltimore Orioles
Oakland Athletics
California Angels
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
He played 19 MLB seasons as an outfielder and designated hitter.
Career Highlights
🏆 1979 American League MVP
With the California Angels:
.296 batting average
36 home runs
139 RBIs (led MLB)
He carried the Angels to their first-ever division title.
💥 Toughest Man at the Plate
Baylor was famously fearless:
Hit by pitch 267 times (one of the highest totals in MLB history)
Played through injuries constantly
Known for crowding the plate to drive inside pitches
📊 Career Stats
2,135 hits
338 home runs
1,276 RBIs
285 stolen bases
He combined power and speed early in his career—rare for his era.
Postseason Moments
Played in the 1986 World Series with the Red Sox (lost in 7 games).
Won a World Series ring as a player with the Minnesota Twins in 1987 (though injured late in the season).
Managerial Career
🧢 Manager of the Colorado Rockies (1993–1998)
First manager in franchise history
Led them to their first playoff appearance in 1995
Won NL Manager of the Year (1995)
Later Managing
Managed the Chicago Cubs briefly (2000–2002)
Coaching Success
Baylor may have had even more impact as a hitting coach.
He won a World Series as hitting coach for the:
Colorado Rockies (coach earlier in career)
Los Angeles Angels (2002 World Series champions)
He was widely credited for developing hitters and instilling mental toughness.
Leadership & Reputation
Players consistently described him as:
Intense
Honest
Protective of his players
Deeply knowledgeable about hitting
He was especially respected by young hitters for his approach to plate discipline and toughness.
Illness & Passing
Baylor battled multiple myeloma for years while continuing to coach.
He passed away in 2017 at age 68.
His perseverance during illness mirrored how he played—tough, quiet, and determined.
Legacy
1979 AL MVP
3× All-Star
Manager of the Year
World Series champion (player & coach)
One of the most hit-by-pitch players in MLB history
Foundational figure in early Colorado Rockies history
He’s remembered as one of baseball’s toughest competitors and a mentor to generations of hitters.
Born: June 28, 1949 – Austin, Texas
Died: August 7, 2017 (multiple myeloma)
Grew up in Texas and became a standout athlete at Austin High School.
Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1967 but didn’t stick there long—his breakthrough would come elsewhere.
Playing Career (1970–1988)
Teams Played For
Baltimore Orioles
Oakland Athletics
California Angels
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
He played 19 MLB seasons as an outfielder and designated hitter.
Career Highlights
🏆 1979 American League MVP
With the California Angels:
.296 batting average
36 home runs
139 RBIs (led MLB)
He carried the Angels to their first-ever division title.
💥 Toughest Man at the Plate
Baylor was famously fearless:
Hit by pitch 267 times (one of the highest totals in MLB history)
Played through injuries constantly
Known for crowding the plate to drive inside pitches
📊 Career Stats
2,135 hits
338 home runs
1,276 RBIs
285 stolen bases
He combined power and speed early in his career—rare for his era.
Postseason Moments
Played in the 1986 World Series with the Red Sox (lost in 7 games).
Won a World Series ring as a player with the Minnesota Twins in 1987 (though injured late in the season).
Managerial Career
🧢 Manager of the Colorado Rockies (1993–1998)
First manager in franchise history
Led them to their first playoff appearance in 1995
Won NL Manager of the Year (1995)
Later Managing
Managed the Chicago Cubs briefly (2000–2002)
Coaching Success
Baylor may have had even more impact as a hitting coach.
He won a World Series as hitting coach for the:
Colorado Rockies (coach earlier in career)
Los Angeles Angels (2002 World Series champions)
He was widely credited for developing hitters and instilling mental toughness.
Leadership & Reputation
Players consistently described him as:
Intense
Honest
Protective of his players
Deeply knowledgeable about hitting
He was especially respected by young hitters for his approach to plate discipline and toughness.
Illness & Passing
Baylor battled multiple myeloma for years while continuing to coach.
He passed away in 2017 at age 68.
His perseverance during illness mirrored how he played—tough, quiet, and determined.
Legacy
1979 AL MVP
3× All-Star
Manager of the Year
World Series champion (player & coach)
One of the most hit-by-pitch players in MLB history
Foundational figure in early Colorado Rockies history
He’s remembered as one of baseball’s toughest competitors and a mentor to generations of hitters.
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