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United States 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.
John Baker currently serves as the Vice President, Performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was previously the Director of Coaching and Player Development, utilizing his background as a former MLB catcher and mental skills coach to oversee team and player performance.
After retiring as a player, John Baker joined the Chicago Cubs organization as a special assistant in baseball operations. He later served as the mental skills coordinator and head applied mental skills coach.
John Baker obtained a master's degree in performance psychology from National University, contributing to his expertise in leadership roles within professional baseball organizations.
John Baker completed an online Bachelor's degree through Arizona State University during his later career.
John Baker is on the board of Lost Boyz, Inc., a charity dedicated to reducing violence, improving social and emotional conditions, and providing financial opportunities for youth in Chicago's South Shore community.
John David Baker was born on January 20, 1981, in Alameda, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he was an All-Pac 10 selection in 2002 with a .383 batting average. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2002, he was mentioned in Michael Lewis’s book “Moneyball.” Baker’s professional baseball career included stints with the Florida Marlins (2008-2011), San Diego Padres (2012-2013), and Chicago Cubs (2014). He made his MLB debut on July 9, 2008, for the Florida Marlins, hitting a home run for his first major league hit on July 10, 2008. Over his MLB career, he played in 359 games, with a batting average of .247, 14 home runs, and 120 RBIs.
A significant career moment occurred on July 29, 2014, when, as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Baker pitched a scoreless 16th inning and earned the win in the longest game in Cubs history by time. This made him the only Cubs position player to ever be credited with a pitching win. Following his playing career, Baker moved into baseball operations with the Chicago Cubs in 2015 as a special assistant, eventually becoming the mental skills coordinator and head applied mental skills coach. He furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in performance psychology from National University.
In November 2020, Baker joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as the Director of Coaching and Player Development, where he applied his expertise in performance psychology to guide players. He was later promoted to Vice President, Performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Throughout his career, Baker has also engaged in philanthropic efforts, visiting U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait, assisting earthquake victims in Haiti, and supporting community initiatives in Chicago, earning him a nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010. His diverse experiences highlight his commitment to both athletic excellence and community engagement.
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