Here's something you didn't see very often: Harold Baines wearing both a glove and an Orioles uniform. I'm guessing this was a photo from Harold's first spring training with the O's. The soft-spoken slugger appeared in 666 games for the Birds spanning seven seasons, and not once did he play the field. In fact, he had a single appearance in the outfield in the last nine years of his career. It came on
June 10, 1997, during Baines' second tour of duty with the White Sox. The Yankees drubbed Chicago 12-1 that day, and for some strange reason manager Terry Bevington sent the sore-kneed designated hitter in to replace Lyle Mouton in right field in the seventh inning. Fortunately, nobody hit the ball in his direction in the final two innings.
Either that or Harold was playing catch before a game with someone. You're probably correct in the assumption that it was during the spring. I didn't realize that Baines never played the field with Baltimore.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of guys who should get more H-O-F consideration.....
ReplyDeleteThat was a good card set too, if I remember correctly...
ReplyDeleteSteve - Yeah, it's almost surprising when you consider that the O's put any bag of meat with a glove in right field back in those days: Chris Sabo, Geronimo Berroa, Bobby Bonilla, you name it.
ReplyDeleteBob - You might enjoy this Onion article: Derek Jeter Honored for Having Fewer Hits Than Harold Baines
Rob - Yeah, Fleer Ultra was usually one of the better-looking sets. Few unnecessary frills.