Del Baker from the Chronology

Jun 10, 1960 - The Red Sox fire manager Billy Jurges‚ who left the team on June 8 reportedly because of illness. Del Baker will be the interim manager. Tomorrow‚ the Sox will hire Pinky Higgins as the regular manager. It'll be Pinky's second tour of duty as Sox skipper.

Apr 21, 1945 - The Red Sox go to 0-5 as the A's club the Sox at Fenway‚ 8-2. Ford Garrison has a 3-run homer and Frank Hayes a grand slam to back Buck Newsom and keep Bosox interim manager Del Baker winless. The A's will win tomorrow as well.

Sep 27, 1940 - Besides Bobo Newsom (21-5)‚ Schoolboy Rowe (16-3)‚ and Tommy Bridges (12-9)‚ the Tigers pitching staff combines for a losing record. Needing one victory to gain the title‚ manager Del Baker decides to withhold Newsom and Rowe and picks 30-year-old rookie Floyd Giebell. Giebell shuts out the Indians 2-0 to beat Bob Feller‚ who gives up just 3 hits‚ including a wind-blown two-run homer by Rudy York down the LF line. The ball would likely have been caught at League Park. Not eligible for the WS‚ Giebell never wins another game in the majors. During the game‚ unruly Cleveland fans shower the field with fruit and vegetables delaying the game. Greenberg is hit by a tomato while in the field. At one point‚ a basket of green tomatoes is dropped onto Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts' head while he sits in the bullpen‚ knocking him out for a few moments. When Birdie recovers‚ he finds the unruly fan‚ now in the hands of the police‚ and punches him.

Feb 15, 1940 - The Tiger roster lists Hank Greenberg as an OF. The willingness of the team's leading power hitter to switch‚ at a contract boost‚ from 1B allows manager Del Baker to find a position for Rudy York. Also on the list are Dick Bartell‚ picked up from the Cubs for Billy Rogell‚ and Pinky Higgins‚ who had been shopped around. The four‚ along with Barney McCosky and Charlie Gehringer‚ produce the stuff that will move the Tigers from fifth to first‚ although its .588 mark will be as low as that of any pennant-winner yet.

Aug 6, 1938 - Ailing Mickey Cochrane is fired as Detroit manager and replaced by Del Baker.

May 25, 1937 - After hitting a solo HR against the Yankees in his third-inning at-bat off Bump Hadley to break a 1-1 tie‚ player-manager Mickey Cochrane is hit by a 3-1 pitch from Hadley in the 5th inning and suffers a skull fracture in three places. Coach Del Baker will run the team for the hospitalized Detroit leader‚ who will never return to active play. Cochrane's homer is his last at bat. In the hospital‚ Cochrane will exonerate Hadley saying‚ "I lost the ball." The Yanks win the game‚ 4-3‚ beating Schoolboy Rowe‚ who makes his first appearance of the season following a suspension for lack of conditioning.

Jul 21, 1936 - Mickey Cochrane has a relapse‚ and Del Baker again takes charge of the Tigers. Detroit takes a pair from the visiting A's‚ winning 8-0 behind Tommy Bridges‚ and 9-8‚ as Schoolboy Rowe wins in relief. The Tigers score a pair in the 8th inning when‚ with the bases loaded‚ Mickey Owen hits into a double play. Goslin scores the tying run and Walker‚ who reaches 3rd on the play‚ scores when 1B Chubby Dean is caught napping.

Jul 15, 1936 - After an absence of several weeks‚ manager Mickey Cochrane rejoins the Tigers in New York‚ as they split a doubleheader with the Yankees. The Tigers take the opener‚ 5-1‚ then lose 7-4‚ as New York maintains its 9-game lead. Cochrane will suffer a relapse and coach Del Baker will take over on the 21st.