Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1971 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Don Baylor
Position/Team: Outfield for Orioles
Card #: 709
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Don Edward Baylor, nicknamed “Groove,” was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball for nearly two decades, first as a powerful and gritty player, and later as a respected manager and coach.
One of Baylor’s most famous attributes was his willingness to get hit by pitches. He crowded the plate relentlessly and often leaned into pitches, setting a Red Sox single-season record with 35 hit-by-pitches in 1986. The pinnacle of Baylor’s playing career came in 1979 with the California Angels. He had a career-best season, batting .296 with 36 home runs and a major league-leading 139 RBIs and 120 runs scored. This performance earned him the American League Most Valuable Player Award. He also made his lone All-Star appearance that year.
While known for his power, Baylor also possessed surprising speed. He stole 285 bases in his career, including 52 in 1976 with the Oakland Athletics. He won the Silver Slugger Award three times in his career (1983, 1985, 1986) as a designated hitter.
Don Baylor played for a variety of teams including the Baltimore Orioles (1970-1975), Oakland Athletics (1976), California Angels (1977-1982), New York Yankees (1983-1985), Boston Red Sox (1986-1987), Minnesota Twins (1987) and Oakland Athletics (1988).
After his playing days, Baylor transitioned to managing and coaching. Colorado Rockies Manager (1993-1998) and Chicago Cubs Manager (2000-2002). Baylor also served as a hitting coach and bench coach for several other MLB teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies (again), Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels.
Don Baylor was a respected figure throughout baseball, known for his leadership, toughness, and knowledge of the game. He passed away on August 7, 2017, at the age of 68, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. Baylor is a member of the Angels Hall of Fame, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and Texas Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to those organizations and his home state.
Don Baylor’s most recognized rookie card is this 1971 Topps #709. This card is part of the iconic 1971 Topps set, famous for its condition-sensitive black borders. It’s a multi-player “Rookie Stars” card, featuring Don Baylor alongside Dusty Baker and Tom Paciorek as “Outfielders.” As card #709, it falls into the high-number series of the 1971 Topps set, meaning it was produced in lower quantities and is generally more difficult to find in high condition.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
➡️ See All 1971 Topps Rookie Card Prices
Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
These values are collated from a variety of resources including recently sold listings, sales averages and a variety of other sports card pricing data sources. Please see full disclaimer on “Terms Page” for more information.
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