• Card series: Pilgrims
• City: Philadelphia
• Team: Athletics (AL)
• League: American League
• Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

John Franklin Baker (1886-1963) was released by his minor league mgr who declared he “could not hit.” Connie Mack needed a 3rd baseman and gave Baker a try at the end of the 1908 season. Baker played 13 years exclusively at 3rd. He wielded his 52-oz bat like no other in the dead ball era.

• Led the AL in HRs 4 straight years for the Athletics
• Helped Connie Mack’s team to 3 Series victories, closed his career with Babe Ruth’s Yankees
• Elected to Hall of Fame: 1955