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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 128
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In Memory |
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of |
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Don Edward Baylor |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of Don Edward Baylor, who died August 7, |
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2017, at the age of 68; and |
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WHEREAS, Don Baylor was born June 28, 1949, in Austin, in |
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the Clarksville neighborhood, an African American community |
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surrounded by wealthy neighborhoods; despite originally being |
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turned away from football tryouts at Stephen F. Austin High |
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School, he persisted and made the team, and he was named |
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honorable mention all-state his senior year; he was the first |
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African American to play on the school's baseball team and became |
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its captain his senior year; and |
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WHEREAS, He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the |
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1967 amateur draft and was an immediate success, winning |
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Appalachian League player-of-the-year honors; he was later named |
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to the Texas League all-star team, and in 1970, he was named the |
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Minor League Player of the Year by the Sporting News; and |
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WHEREAS, He began his distinguished 19-year major league |
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career in 1972 with the Baltimore Orioles, and he earned Topps |
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Rookie Major League All-Star honors, he went on to play for the |
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Oakland Athletics, the California Angels, the New York Yankees, |
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the Boston Red Sox, and the Minnesota Twins; and |
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WHEREAS, A member of baseball's first class of free agents, |
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Mr. Baylor was widely respected and admired as an exceptional |
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clubhouse leader; he earned numerous honors and accolades over |
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the course of his career, including the 1979 American League Most |
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Valuable Player award and the 1985 Roberto Clemente Award, |
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presented annually to a player of exceptional character who |
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contributes greatly to his community; and |
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WHEREAS, After his playing career was over, Mr. Baylor |
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coached and managed a number of teams; he was the first manager of |
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the expansion Colorado Rockies, and in 1995, he was named |
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National League Manager of the Year when the Rockies became the |
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fastest expansion team to make the playoffs; and |
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WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, Rebecca Baylor, were |
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blessed with a son, Don Baylor Jr., who was a source of much pride |
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and joy for him; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, he |
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gave generously to others as a role model and mentor, and his |
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leadership skills, his impressive work ethic, and his enthusiasm |
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for living each day to the fullest will not be forgotten; and |
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WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband and father, and he leaves |
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behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and |
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countless friends; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere |
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condolences to the bereaved family of Don Edward Baylor; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Don Edward Baylor. |
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Watson |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on August 11, 2017, by |
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a rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |