MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame
Baker was a four-year letterwinner for the Lions and concluded his career by helping lead the Lions to a berth in the 1991 and 1992 NCAA Division II College World Series finishing as the national runner up in 1991.
Baker was an All-CSIC first-team member in 1989, Southern's last year in the league and the NAIA. He was All-MIAA in 1990, while earning Academic All-District honors as well. In 1991, he was All-MIAA as a designated hitter, while being named to the College World Series All-Tournament team. He was an Academic All-American and set the school record for homers in a game with three. His final year at Southern, Baker led the team to another College World Series berth, and was once again All-MIAA and Academic All-American.
Baker graduated from Missouri Southern in 1992 and began teaching social studies and coaching baseball and softball at Carthage Junior High School. He earned a Masters degree in education, as well as a specialist from Missouri State, and completed his Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. He was the Assistant Principal at Carl Junction High School in 1996 and was named Assistant Superintendent of the Carl Junction school district in 1998. In 2001, he was named the Assistant Superintendent for Business of the Carthage School District and served as the Superintendent of the Carthage School District until June of 2023. Baker and his wife, Stacie, have two children, a daughter Emilee and a son Alex.
