Page 10 ~ THE VILLAGER/February 14, 2020 THE DISPATCH www.theaustinvillager.com Honoring the Majesty of Don Baylor A Legendary Austinite Hero baseball’s gain as the Bal- timore Orioles selected By John Harris Jr. Baylor in the second round VILLAGER Sports of the 1967 MLB Draft. Columnist In 19 MLB seasons, Baylor played for six teams, (AUSTIN, TX) - In rec- smacked 338 career homers ognition of Black History and totaled 2,135 hits, won Month, the Villager will fea- three Silver Slugger Awards ture black athletes and and was named American coaches from Austin League MVP in 1979 when DON BAYLOR throughout the month of he led the league with 139 league in being hit by February. This week: Major RBIs and 120 runs while pitches seven times. Baylor League Baseball great Don leading the California Angels was hit by pitches a total Baylor. to their first AL Western Di- of 267 times, ranking him Born in Austin, vision title. fourth all-time. Baylor experienced a lot at Playing for the Bos- When his playing ca- a young age. He was one ton Red Sox, Baylor faced reer ended, Baylor became of three blacks to integrate his former team, the Cali- a coach and managed the Texas public schools as a fornia Angels, in the 1986 expansion Colorado junior at Austin High Al Championship Series. Rockies from 1993-1998. School and endured racial Trailing with two outs in Upon leading Colorado to prejudice in becoming the the top of the ninth inning the postseason in 1995, he first black to play football, with California leading the was named National baseball and basketball at series 3-1, Baylor’s two- League Manager of the Austin High. Later in life, run homer won the game Year, becoming the fourth he became a vocal advo- as the Red Sox rallied to man named both league cate in challenging Major win the series and advance MVP and manager of the League Baseball to hire to the World Series. Year. more black managers, Baylor is one of only Baylor also managed coaches and front-office two players to appear in the Chicago Cubs from executives. three consecutive World 2000-2002. Baylor nearly be- Series with three different In 2003, Baylor was came the first black to play teams. He won a World diagnosed with multiple football at the University of Series with the Minnesota myeloma but he continued Texas. Offered a football Twins in 1987. to coach at a high level de- scholarship by coach Baylor was a versatile spite being diagnosed with Darrell Royal to enroll in athlete with the ability to cancer. At the conclusion 1967, Baylor would have bash homers and drive in of his managerial career, made history if Royal had runs, but he also flaunted he continued serving as a permitted him to play considerable speed run- hitting coach with several baseball in the spring. ning the bases. teams through the 2015 When Royal turned down Baylor stole a career- season. his request, Baylor focused high 52 bases in 1976 and Baylor returned to on baseball and enrolled at amassed 285 career steals. Austin where he passed Blinn Junior College in Known primarily as a away on August, 7, 2017 at Brenham. power hitter who crowded St. David’s South Hospital Football’s loss was the plate, Baylor led the at the age of 68.