Steve Baker – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Baker might not be a household name in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but his journey through Major League Baseball is a story of grit and persistence. Steve Baker pitched right-handed for four seasons in MLB from 1978 to 1983, wrapping up his career with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 27, 1983. Born in Eugene, Oregon in 1956, Baker built a solid career even though he faced a bunch of challenges and bounced between teams along the way.

Baker didn’t travel a straight path to the majors. He dealt with early setbacks and took a winding road through several organizations. After the New York Mets drafted him in 1974 but he decided not to sign, he eventually landed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent.

He played for three teams and spent plenty of time in the minors, which really tested his commitment to baseball.

The story of Baker’s career gives a peek into the reality for many pro ballplayers who don’t become superstars. From his promising debut against the Baltimore Orioles to his last season split between Oakland and St. Louis, Baker’s experience is a reminder that chasing a baseball dream isn’t always about the spotlight.

Early Life and Amateur Foundations

Steven Byrne Baker’s journey to the MLB started in Eugene, Oregon, where he was born on August 30, 1956. His time in high school and college baseball set the stage for his pro career from 1978 to 1983.

Birthplace and Family Background

Steven Byrne Baker grew up in Eugene, Oregon, a city with a strong sports culture and close ties to the University of Oregon. Born in the summer of 1956, Baker came of age when baseball was booming in popularity across the country.

The Pacific Northwest gave him a great place to develop his baseball skills. Oregon’s mild weather meant he could play longer seasons than kids in colder places.

Baker’s family encouraged his love of sports from the start. Eugene’s baseball community had plenty of leagues and programs, which helped Baker grow as a pitcher.

High School and Early Baseball Development

Baker went to Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, California, after his family moved from Oregon. The shift to Southern California put him in a much more competitive baseball scene.

At Monte Vista, Baker sharpened his pitching with the help of experienced coaches. California’s top-notch high school baseball programs gave him tough competition and better training.

His strong performances at Monte Vista caught the eye of pro scouts. The New York Mets picked Baker in the 18th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft straight out of high school.

Getting drafted at 17 showed people saw real potential in him as a pitcher. The Mets organization noticed his talent and offered him a shot at the pros.

College Baseball Years

Instead of signing with the Mets, Baker decided to play college baseball. That choice let him keep building his skills while also getting an education.

College ball gave him a chance to compete with older, more experienced players. It also helped him polish his pitching mechanics and learn the mental side of the game.

His time in college paid off, proving he had what it took to pitch professionally. The extra development helped when he finally entered the minor leagues a few years later.

Path to the Major Leagues

Steve Baker’s route to pro baseball started in high school and included a few draft chances and college stops. He got drafted by the New York Mets but eventually signed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent after college.

MLB Draft and Signing Decisions

The New York Mets picked Baker in the 18th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Monte Vista High School. Baker decided not to sign with them.

He chose to go to college instead. First, he enrolled at the University of Oregon, then transferred to Grossmont College.

Going to college instead of turning pro right away was a big decision for him. It gave him more time to improve while keeping his amateur status.

Transition to Professional Baseball

After college, Baker became an amateur free agent. The Detroit Tigers saw his potential and signed him in May 1976.

He was just 19 when he joined Detroit. The Tigers’ scouts had been following his college progress.

He signed with Detroit two years after the Mets first drafted him. That extra time let Baker mature and get ready for the grind of pro baseball.

Minor League Journey

Baker spent time in the Tigers’ minor league system after signing in 1976. Detroit’s coaches worked with him to prep for the jump to the majors.

The minors helped Baker fine-tune his pitching and build up his stamina. He climbed through Detroit’s farm teams over the next two years.

Detroit’s staff focused on developing his right-handed pitching. By 1978, Baker had done enough to get his first major league shot with the Tigers at age 21.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Steve Baker pitched for three teams during his four-year MLB career from 1978 to 1983. He finished with a 7-16 record and a career ERA above 4.00, playing for the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals.

MLB Debut and Early Performance

Baker made his MLB debut on May 25, 1978 at age 21 with the Detroit Tigers. He faced the Baltimore Orioles in his first game, throwing 6.1 innings, giving up 8 hits and 1 earned run.

He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 185 pounds. Baker threw and hit right-handed for his whole career.

The Tigers had signed him as an amateur free agent in May 1976. The New York Mets had originally drafted him in 1974, but he didn’t sign with them.

Baker went to the University of Oregon and then Grossmont College. He started developing his pitching at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, California.

Detroit Tigers Years

Baker spent his first two MLB seasons with the Detroit Tigers from 1978 to 1979. Those years set him up as a relief pitcher in Detroit’s bullpen.

He had a tough time finding consistency on the mound. Like a lot of young pitchers, he struggled to adjust to big league hitters.

Detroit gave Baker his first shot at the majors. He learned a lot pitching against American League batters in those early seasons.

After 1979, Baker’s Detroit stint ended. The Toronto Blue Jays bought his contract in 1980, but he never pitched in a big league game for them.

Oakland Athletics Stint

The Oakland Athletics picked up Baker as a free agent, giving him another chance in the majors. He pitched for Oakland in 1982 and 1983.

Baker’s time with the A’s made up a big part of his MLB career. He came out of the bullpen, trying to carve out a role in the American League.

His best MLB season came in 1983, combining stats from both Oakland and St. Louis. That year, he went 3-4 with a 3.94 ERA in 43 games, the only time his ERA dipped below 4.00.

The A’s traded Baker to the St. Louis Cardinals on September 2, 1983 for Tom Dozier and Jim Strichek. That deal sent him from the American League to the National League for the last stretch of his career.

1983 Season and Retirement

Steve Baker’s final season in the majors came with the St. Louis Cardinals. He appeared in 43 games before calling it a career at 27.

St. Louis Cardinals Period

Baker joined the Cardinals in 1983 after pitching for Oakland earlier that year. This was his last stop in the big leagues.

He pitched in 43 games for St. Louis during the regular season, working mostly out of the bullpen.

His time with the Cardinals marked the end of a four-season MLB career that started with Detroit in 1978. Baker’s last game came on September 27, 1983.

Performance Metrics and ERA

Baker’s 1983 stats showed a pretty big difference between home and road games. At home, he posted a solid 3.05 ERA in 23 games, covering 38.1 innings.

On the road, things didn’t go as well. He struggled with a 5.36 ERA in 20 games, allowing 33 hits in just 25.2 innings.

He gave up 4 home runs and walked 30 batters that year. Baker also hit 3 batters and threw 4 wild pitches in his 43 appearances.

Retirement from MLB

Baker wrapped up his playing career after the 1983 season at age 27. His final record: 7 wins, 16 losses, and 84 games with three teams.

After retiring, Baker moved into baseball administration. He became an executive with Major League Baseball, focusing a lot on MLB International operations.

That post-playing role kept him in the game and let him help baseball grow around the world. Switching from player to executive gave him a whole new angle on the sport.

Other Team Affiliations and Career Transitions

Steve Baker’s major league days ended with the Cardinals in 1983, but his baseball story included other organizations and a second act after playing. After hanging up his cleats, he moved into an executive role with MLB, working on international development.

Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles Connections

Baker’s career kicked off with a memorable game against the Baltimore Orioles. His MLB debut was on May 25, 1978, when he faced the Orioles as a Detroit Tiger. In that outing, he pitched 6.1 innings, giving up 8 hits, 1 earned run, and striking out 6.

That game was a big milestone for the young pitcher from Eugene, Oregon. He was just 21 when he took the mound against Baltimore.

There’s no record of Baker playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in the majors, but both Detroit and Oakland were in the American League East with Toronto during his career. The Blue Jays had just joined MLB in 1977, right as Baker was starting out.

Minor League Contributions

Baker’s pro baseball journey began when the Mets picked him in the 18th round of the 1974 draft. He was the 419th overall pick, straight out of Monte Vista High School.

He spent a few years in the minors before making it to the big leagues. Being a late-round pick meant he was seen as a project, not an instant star.

It took Baker four years after being drafted to reach the majors. He worked his way through several levels before debuting for Detroit in 1978.

Post-MLB Playing Career

After his last MLB game in 1983, Baker jumped into baseball administration. He joined MLB as an executive and played a big part in the sport’s international growth.

Baker spent a lot of time with MLB International, helping to set up baseball programs and partnerships around the globe. His job focused on expanding the game’s reach and building relationships with international baseball groups.

Moving from player to executive showed Baker’s ongoing dedication to baseball. Through MLB International, he got to help the sport grow in ways his playing career never could.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

Steve Baker moved from the mound to roles in baseball administration and even contributed to college athletics. His experience as an MLB pitcher gave him valuable perspective for leadership and player development work.

Roles in Baseball Administration

After he retired from Major League Baseball in 1983, Baker jumped into different administrative jobs with pro baseball organizations. He brought his own firsthand experience as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals, which gave him a pretty unique view on player development and how teams actually run.

Baker focused a lot on player evaluation and organizational growth. He knew the challenges players face when they bounce between teams. Trades and roster shuffles weren’t just abstract ideas to him—he’d been through them during his own four-season career.

He really understood pitching mechanics and game strategy, and that knowledge came in handy in front office roles. Baker could spot talent from a technical angle, but also from the more practical side, since he’d racked up 131 strikeouts back in his playing days.

Since he’d played for several organizations, Baker picked up on how different teams work and what makes each one tick. That kind of background turned out to be a real asset when he worked with various baseball administrations after he hung up his glove.

Impact on Collegiate Athletics

Baker got involved in collegiate athletics because of his background in professional baseball and his real-world understanding of how players develop. Honestly, his jump from college baseball to the majors gave him a firsthand look at what student-athletes actually go through.

He spent time working with college programs, trying to close the gap between amateur and professional baseball. Since he went through the draft himself and dealt with the grind of the minor leagues, he knew what it took to get players ready.

Baker often mentored young pitchers, sharing stories and advice from his days in the pros. He always stressed how important it was to develop not just athletic skills, but also mental preparation if you wanted to compete at a higher level.

He really believed in balancing education with athletics. Baker’s own career path showed why having more than one option and building skills you can use off the field actually matters.