Dusty Baker arrived at his Monday press conference in a solemn mood. He had heard Saturday that his friend, Don Baylor, was not in good health. Monday morning, he received phone calls telling him that Baylor had died overnight. He was 68. The Nationals held a moment of silence before Monday’s game to recognize Baylor and Darren Daulton, the latter of whom died Sunday.
Baker said he was labeled the “next Hank Aaron” and Baylor was expected to be the replacement for Frank Robinson in Baltimore. Baker and Baylor signed the same year, 1967, after each was drafted out of high school.