In Memory

Frank Baker - Class Of 1963

Frank Baker Jr., died in Raleigh, North Carolina at the age of 66, following complications from a heart failure on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at home in Raleigh, N.C. He was a graduate of Franklin High School (1963) and inducted into their Football Hall of Fame. He was a Vietnam veteran, played professional baseball with the Cleveland Indians, and the California Angels. He was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians in the 1969 and 1971 seasons. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m), 180 pounds (82 kg), he batted left-handed and threw right-handed A native of Bartow, Florida, Baker signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1964 and played for them in their Minor league system for three years before joining the military during Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. After discharging in 1969, he divided his playing time between the Indians and their affiliates teams for three years. He also played for Triple-A California affiliate Salt Lake City Angels in 1972, his last season in baseball. In part of two season for the Indians, Baker was a .286 hitter (82-for-353) with four home runs and 38 runs batted in in 125 games. In a seven-season minors career, he hit .284 with 51 homers and 235 RBI in 703 games.