Jeffrey Glen Baker (born June 21, 1981) is an American former professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

player. He bats and throws

right-handed In human biology, handedness is an individual's preferential use of one hand, known as the dominant hand, due to and causing it to be stronger, faster or more Fine motor skill, dextrous. The other hand, comparatively often the weaker, less dext ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

for the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

, Texas Rangers and

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...

. Primarily a

second baseman In baseball and softball, second baseman, abbreviated 2B, is a fielding position in the Infielder, infield, between Baseball field#Second base, second and Baseball field#First base, first base. The second baseman often possesses quick hands and f ...

and

first baseman A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...

, Baker also has experience in the

outfield The outfield, in cricket, baseball and softball is the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield. In association football, the outfield players are positioned outside the goal area. In bat and ball games ...

and at

third base A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...

Early life

Jeff Baker was born on June 21, 1981, in

Bad Kissingen Bad Kissingen () is a German spa town in the Bavarian region of Lower Franconia and County town, seat of the Bad Kissingen (district), district Bad Kissingen. Situated to the south of the Rhön Mountains on the Franconian Saale, Franconia ...

West Germany West Germany was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from its formation on 23 May 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with East Germany on 3 October 1990. It is sometimes known as the Bonn Republi ...

, while his father, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Larry Baker was stationed there. The family soon returned to the United States, and lived in

El Paso, Texas El Paso (; ; or ) is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States. The 2020 United States census, 2020 population of the city from the United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the List of ...

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...

, and

West Point, New York West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. Located on the Hudson River in New York (state), New York, General George Washington stationed his headquarters in West Point in the summer and fall of 1779 durin ...

. Baker began playing baseball while his father was stationed in the Middle East, namely the

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...

and

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...

. Larry Baker was responsible for teaching his son the game, and coached him until Jeff graduated from Gar-Field High School in

Dale City, Virginia Dale City is a census-designated place (CDP) in Prince William County, Virginia, United States, located south west of Washington, D.C. It is an annex of Woodbridge, Virginia. As of 2020, the total population was 72,088. The community is roug ...

. Baker was the 1999 All-Met Player of the Year. He then attended

Clemson University Clemson University () is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university near Clemson, South Carolina, United States. - The blue-shaded pattern denotes university property. This shows Clemson University is ''out ...

, where he played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

, before playing professionally.

Baseball career

College

Baker enrolled at

, where he played

for the

Clemson Tigers The Clemson Tigers are the sport, athletic teams that represent Clemson University, located in Clemson, South Carolina. They compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCAA Division I, Division I level (NCAA Divis ...

from 2000 to 2002. He played as third baseman as well as shortstop. Baker set the school record for career home runs with 59 home runs, a feat he accomplished in three years.

Colorado Rockies

Baker was drafted by the Rockies in 2004 after playing college baseball at

. He was a three-time

Baseball America ''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...

All-American and a finalist for the

Golden Spikes Award The Golden Spikes Award is bestowed annually to the best amateur baseball player in the United States. The award, created by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association, was first presented in 1978. It is given to ...

in 2002 (the award was won by Clemson teammate Khalil Greene). Baker made his Major League debut in 2005, as the

Opening Day Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent year ...

third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the Baseball scorekeep ...

for the

, playing a total of 12 games. He had been added to the Rockies lineup as a replacement for injured third baseman

Garrett Atkins Garrett Bernard Atkins (born December 12, 1979) is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. Between 2003 and 2010, he played for the Colorado Rockies and Baltimore Orioles. Amateur career High school career Atkins attended Unive ...

and on the return of Atkins, Baker was assigned to the

Colorado Springs Sky Sox The Colorado Springs Sky Sox were a Minor League Baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team played in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and was the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2018), Colorado R ...

, the Rockies Triple-A affiliate. In 2006, Baker played a full season for the Sky Sox, hitting .305 with 20 home runs and 108

runs batted in A run batted in or runs batted in (RBI) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if th ...

(RBIs), playing primarily in right field. He was named to the Baseball America All-Minor League team. He was then called up to the Rockies in early September and was rewarded with significant playing time in right field. Baker has served as a super-utility type player for the Rockies during the 2007–08 seasons. He is able to play all corner positions, and has developed skill at

second base In baseball and softball, second baseman, abbreviated 2B, is a fielding position in the infield, between second and first base. The second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet, needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must ...

. During

Spring Training Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...

2008, Baker contended for the starting second baseman spot, but was eventually beaten out by Jayson Nix. After Nix failed to adapt to the major league level, Baker spent the remainder of the season platooning at second base with Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla.

Chicago Cubs

On July 2, 2009, Baker was traded to the

for minor league pitcher Al Alburquerque.

Detroit Tigers

On August 5, 2012, Baker was traded to the

for two players to be named later. He was designated for assignment on August 31. Baker appeared in 15 games for the Tigers after being acquired from the Cubs. The veteran played first base, second base, and both corner outfield positions while posting a line of .254/.293/.408 in 181 total plate appearances.

Atlanta Braves

On August 31, 2012, Baker was traded to the

for a

player to be named later In Major League Baseball, a player to be named later (PTBNL) is an unnamed player involved in exchange or "trade" of players between teams. The terms of a trade are not finalized until a later date, most often following the conclusion of the seaso ...

, minor league pitcher Greg Ross.

Texas Rangers

In January 2013, Baker was signed by the Texas Rangers to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He was named to the 2013 Opening Day roster in March. His first hit as a Ranger came on April 13 against the Mariners, and his first home run as a Ranger came on April 19, also against the Mariners. On June 14, he injured his thumb giving a high-five to teammate

Craig Gentry Craig Alan Gentry (born November 29, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Oriol ...

, and missed about a month. Used more often against left-handed pitchers, he hit .314/.407/.667 with 10 HR and 18 RBI against them. In 74 games (44 starts, mostly at first base and left field), he hit .279/.360/.545 with 11 HR and 21 RBI. On October 9, Baker was designated for assignment to make room for Matt West, and elected free agency on October 14.

Miami Marlins

In February 2014, Baker agreed to a two-year, $3.7 million contract with the

. He was placed on the disabled list on July 10, 2015, after having strained his left intercostal muscle. He was released on July 31, 2015.

Personal life

Baker is the son of a retired

US Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

and is actively involved in the Wounded Warrior Project. During the offseason, his home is in Virginia.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Jeff 1981 births Living people American expatriates in West Germany Asheville Tourists players Atlanta Braves players Baseball players from Prince William County, Virginia Chicago Cubs players Clemson Tigers baseball players Colorado Rockies players Colorado Springs Sky Sox players Detroit Tigers players Frisco RoughRiders players Iowa Cubs players Major League Baseball utility players Major League Baseball players from Germany Mesa Solar Sox players Miami Marlins players Modesto Nuts players Texas Rangers players Tulsa Drillers players Visalia Oaks players