Reggie Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Reginald Conrad Baldwin (born August 19, 1954 in River Rouge, Michigan
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
catcher who played in 1978 and 1979 for the Houston Astros, although his minor league career spanned from 1976 to 1980. He was 6'1" tall and he weighed 195 pounds.
Prior to playing professionally, Baldwin attended Grambling State University
. He was drafted by the by Astros in the third round of the 1976 amateur draft. He began his professional career that year with the rookie-league Covington Astros
, hitting .286 with ten home runs in 245 at-bats.
In 1977, he played for the Columbus Astros and Charleston Charlies
, hitting a combined .284 in 104 at-bats. His on-base percentage was a mere .309, because he walked only six times in 359 at-bats. He spent only 36 games in the minors in 1978, all for the Columbus Astros. With them, he hit .323 in 133 at-bats. That earned him a call-up to the major leagues, and on May 25, he made his debut. In his first game - which was against the San Francisco Giants
- he replaced Astros starting catcher Joe Ferguson
in the bottom of the seventh inning. In his first and only at-bat of the game, he flied out against pitcher Ed Halicki
. Overall, he hit .254 with one home run and 11 RBI in 38 games in his first season. In 67 at-bats, he walked only three times - but he struck out only three times as well.
Baldwin spent most of 1979 in the minors, splitting his minor league season between the Columbus Astros and Charleston Charlies. In 71 minor league games, he hit .278 with seven home runs, walking only six times in 255 at-bats. He also spent 14 games in the big leagues that year, hitting only .200 in 20 at-bats. On September 24, he played his final game.
Although he major league career was done after the 1979 season, his minor league career was not. After being traded to the New York Mets
on February 20, 1980 for Keith Bodie
, he played for the Tidewater Tides in their farm system that season. He hit .273 in 96 games. 1980 was his final professional season.
Overall, Baldwin hit .241 with one home run and 12 RBI in 52 big league games. In a five-year minor league career, he hit .285 with 29 home runs in 370 games.
River Rouge, Michigan
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,917 people, 3,640 households, and 2,504 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,713.9 per square mile . There were 4,080 housing units at an average density of 1,528.0 per square mile...
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher who played in 1978 and 1979 for the Houston Astros, although his minor league career spanned from 1976 to 1980. He was 6'1" tall and he weighed 195 pounds.
Prior to playing professionally, Baldwin attended Grambling State University
Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
. He was drafted by the by Astros in the third round of the 1976 amateur draft. He began his professional career that year with the rookie-league Covington Astros
Covington Astros
The Covington Astros were a minor league baseball team that played from 1967 to 1976 in the Appalachian League. Affiliated with the Houston Astros, they were located in Covington, Virginia. They played their home games at Casey Field.-Year-by-year record:...
, hitting .286 with ten home runs in 245 at-bats.
In 1977, he played for the Columbus Astros and Charleston Charlies
Charleston Charlies
The Charleston Charlies was the name of the third and most recent Class AAA minor league baseball franchise that was located in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. The Charlies played in the International League from 1971 to 1976 as the relocated Columbus Jets franchise. In 1977 the franchise...
, hitting a combined .284 in 104 at-bats. His on-base percentage was a mere .309, because he walked only six times in 359 at-bats. He spent only 36 games in the minors in 1978, all for the Columbus Astros. With them, he hit .323 in 133 at-bats. That earned him a call-up to the major leagues, and on May 25, he made his debut. In his first game - which was against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
- he replaced Astros starting catcher Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson (baseball)
Joseph Vance Ferguson is a former catcher/right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for four different teams from 1970 through 1983...
in the bottom of the seventh inning. In his first and only at-bat of the game, he flied out against pitcher Ed Halicki
Ed Halicki
Ed Halicki , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1974-1980. On August 24, 1975, Halicki threw a no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants against the New York Mets in a 6-0 victory...
. Overall, he hit .254 with one home run and 11 RBI in 38 games in his first season. In 67 at-bats, he walked only three times - but he struck out only three times as well.
Baldwin spent most of 1979 in the minors, splitting his minor league season between the Columbus Astros and Charleston Charlies. In 71 minor league games, he hit .278 with seven home runs, walking only six times in 255 at-bats. He also spent 14 games in the big leagues that year, hitting only .200 in 20 at-bats. On September 24, he played his final game.
Although he major league career was done after the 1979 season, his minor league career was not. After being traded to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on February 20, 1980 for Keith Bodie
Keith Bodie
Keith Bodie is a former minor league baseball player and manager, and current minor league coach.-Playing career:...
, he played for the Tidewater Tides in their farm system that season. He hit .273 in 96 games. 1980 was his final professional season.
Overall, Baldwin hit .241 with one home run and 12 RBI in 52 big league games. In a five-year minor league career, he hit .285 with 29 home runs in 370 games.