A native of Bartow, Florida, Baker played high school baseball for Franklin High School in Somerset, New Jersey, where he was inducted into their Football Hall of Fame. He signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1964 and played for them in their Minor league system for three years before joining the United States Army. In the Army, he served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968, and attained the rank of private first class. After discharging from the Army in 1969, he spent most of the season with the Waterbury Indians, hitting .312 in 84 games before being promoted. He made his major league debut on July 27, and hit .256 in 52 games for Cleveland. The following season, he spent the year with the Wichita Aeros. In 1971, he divided his playing time between the Indians and the Aeros. He also played for Triple-A California affiliate Salt Lake City Angels in 1972, his last season in baseball.
