Age 68 after a long battle with cancer.

 

There likely isn't a Twins player that had such a lopsided ratio of games played compared to amount of respect and adulation as Baylor. It's hard to believe that his large impact on the 1987 team was only measured in 27 games.

 

He impacted so many teams both during and after his playing career. A great ambassador for the game.

Class act all around. I remember him a lot from his years with the Orioles, too.

 

There likely isn't a Twins player that had such a lopsided ratio of games played compared to amount of respect and adulation as Baylor. It's hard to believe that his large impact on the 1987 team was only measured in 27 games.

For some perspective, Phil Nevin hit just as many HR in a Twins uniform!

 

For those like me who were too young to pay close attention in 1987, it appears Baylor had a pinch hit single to drive in the go-ahead run in the 8th inning of ALCS Game 1:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198710070.shtml

 

But then the big one was World Series Game 6.  Go-ahead RBI single in the 2nd inning, game-tying 2-run HR in the 5th, and an intentional walk and run scored (on Hrbek's two-out grand slam) in the 6th:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198710240.shtml

Of course he was far more known for his exploits elsewhere, but everyone in Minnesota remembers him as the veteran brought in to help a bunch of wet behind the ears kids compete for a World Series in 1987.  ESPN is reporting he died of cancer at age 68. 

 

 

RIP. Cool dude if ever there was one. Great ballplayer, inspiring team leader. 

Loved him as a player. Was disappointed when he didn't get a ring in 1986. For a part time player, he had such an impact