John Baker

John Baker transitioned from a professional baseball catcher to a leader in player development and performance, currently serving as Vice President, Performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2002, John Baker embarked on a distinguished professional baseball career, notably mentioned in Michael Lewis’s acclaimed book ‘Moneyball.’ Baker made his Major League Baseball debut with the Florida Marlins on July 9, 2008, following successful stints as a PCL Mid-Season All-Star in both 2006 and 2008. The very next day, July 10, 2008, he hit a home run for his first major league hit. During his time with the Marlins (2008-2011), San Diego Padres (2012-2013), and Chicago Cubs (2014), Baker played in 359 MLB games, accumulating a .247 batting average, 14 home runs, and 120 RBIs.

His early career also saw him recognized with the MLBPAA Marlins Heart and Hustle Award in 2009 and a nomination for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2010. A highlight of Baker’s playing career came on July 29, 2014, when, as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, he pitched a scoreless 16th inning and earned the win in what became the longest game in Cubs history by time. This made him the only Cubs position player ever credited with a pitching win. Following his impactful playing career, Baker transitioned to baseball operations, joining the Chicago Cubs in 2015 as a special assistant.

These diverse experiences underscore Baker’s dedication to both peak athletic performance and broader societal impact.