Harold Baines
Designated Hitter · Career Stats, Hall of Fame Bio & Records (1980-2001)
Harold Baines was a designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 2001 for 5 teams, including the Chicago White Sox, a span of 22 seasons. In 2,830 career games, he hit .289 with 2,866 hits, 384 home runs, and 1,628 RBI. Harold Baines was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 and was a 6-time All-Star and a Silver Slugger. His career PIV — Baseball Data Hub's era-adjusted measure of offensive impact — is 25,497.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
- Position
- Designated Hitter
- Bats / Throws
- L / L
- Height / Weight
- 6'2" / 175 lb
- MLB Debut
- 1980-04-10
- Last Game
- 2001-09-27
- Hall of Fame
- Inducted 2019 (BBWAA)
- Awards
- 6× All-Star · Silver Slugger
Full name: Harold Douglas Baines
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,830 | 9,908 | 1,299 | 2,866 | 488 | 49 | 384 | 1,628 | 34 | 1,062 | 1,441 | .289 | .356 | .465 | .820 | 25,497 |
Career AVG .289 vs. league average .262 across their career seasons — +10.2% above league average.
Career OBP .356 vs. league average .330 across their career seasons — +7.8% above league average.
Career SLG .465 vs. league average .403 across their career seasons — +15.4% above league average.
Career OPS .820 vs. league average .733 across their career seasons — +12.0% above league average.
Season-by-Season Batting
Click a stat to plot it across every season.
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | Lg AVG | Lg OBP | Lg SLG | Lg OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | CHA | AL | 141 | 491 | 55 | 125 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 49 | 2 | 19 | 65 | .255 | .264 (-4%) | .326 (-14%) | .387 (+5%) | .714 (-4%) | -485.8 |
| 1981 | CHA | AL | 82 | 280 | 42 | 80 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 41 | 6 | 12 | 41 | .286 | .255 (+12%) | .320 (-1%) | .368 (+31%) | .688 (+16%) | 636.7 |
| 1982 | CHA | AL | 161 | 608 | 89 | 165 | 29 | 8 | 25 | 105 | 10 | 49 | 95 | .271 | .261 (+4%) | .324 (-1%) | .388 (+21%) | .712 (+11%) | 1091.9 |
| 1983 | CHA | AL | 156 | 596 | 76 | 167 | 33 | 2 | 20 | 99 | 7 | 49 | 85 | .280 | .260 (+7%) | .324 (+2%) | .389 (+14%) | .714 (+9%) | 942.3 |
| 1984 | CHA | AL | 147 | 569 | 72 | 173 | 28 | 10 | 29 | 94 | 1 | 54 | 75 | .304 | .259 (+17%) | .322 (+12%) | .384 (+41%) | .707 (+28%) | 2942.6 |
| 1985 | CHA | AL | 160 | 640 | 86 | 198 | 29 | 3 | 22 | 113 | 1 | 42 | 89 | .309 | .257 (+20%) | .323 (+8%) | .390 (+19%) | .714 (+14%) | 1674.8 |
| 1986 | CHA | AL | 145 | 570 | 72 | 169 | 29 | 2 | 21 | 88 | 2 | 38 | 89 | .296 | .257 (+15%) | .325 (+4%) | .395 (+18%) | .720 (+11%) | 1144.7 |
| 1987 | CHA | AL | 132 | 505 | 59 | 148 | 26 | 4 | 20 | 93 | 0 | 46 | 82 | .293 | .262 (+11%) | .331 (+6%) | .415 (+15%) | .746 (+11%) | 1134.3 |
| 1988 | CHA | AL | 158 | 599 | 55 | 166 | 39 | 1 | 13 | 81 | 0 | 67 | 109 | .277 | .254 (+9%) | .317 (+9%) | .377 (+9%) | .695 (+9%) | 1123.8 |
| 1989 | CHA | AL | 96 | 333 | 55 | 107 | 20 | 1 | 13 | 56 | 0 | 60 | 52 | .321 | .254 (+26%) | .319 (+32%) | .375 (+34%) | .694 (+34%) | 2262.7 |
| 1989 | TEX | AL | 50 | 172 | 18 | 49 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 13 | 27 | .285 | .254 (+12%) | .319 (+4%) | .375 (+4%) | .694 (+4%) | 2262.7 |
| 1990 | TEX | AL | 103 | 321 | 41 | 93 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 44 | 0 | 47 | 63 | .290 | .257 (+12%) | .324 (+16%) | .385 (+16%) | .710 (+16%) | 1099.9 |
| 1990 | OAK | AL | 32 | 94 | 11 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 20 | 17 | .266 | .257 (+3%) | .324 (+17%) | .385 (+8%) | .710 (+12%) | 1099.9 |
| 1991 | OAK | AL | 141 | 488 | 76 | 144 | 25 | 1 | 20 | 90 | 0 | 72 | 67 | .295 | .255 (+15%) | .323 (+19%) | .384 (+23%) | .708 (+21%) | 2193.4 |
| 1992 | OAK | AL | 140 | 478 | 58 | 121 | 18 | 0 | 16 | 76 | 1 | 59 | 61 | .253 | .255 (-1%) | .322 (+3%) | .377 (+4%) | .699 (+3%) | 362.5 |
| 1993 | BAL | AL | 118 | 416 | 64 | 130 | 22 | 0 | 20 | 78 | 0 | 57 | 52 | .312 | .265 (+18%) | .332 (+17%) | .403 (+26%) | .735 (+22%) | 1916.6 |
| 1994 | BAL | AL | 94 | 326 | 44 | 96 | 12 | 1 | 16 | 54 | 0 | 30 | 49 | .294 | .269 (+9%) | .338 (+5%) | .424 (+14%) | .763 (+10%) | 668.4 |
| 1995 | BAL | AL | 127 | 385 | 60 | 115 | 19 | 1 | 24 | 63 | 0 | 70 | 45 | .299 | .266 (+12%) | .337 (+19%) | .417 (+29%) | .755 (+25%) | 2123.9 |
| 1996 | CHA | AL | 143 | 495 | 80 | 154 | 29 | 0 | 22 | 95 | 3 | 73 | 62 | .311 | .269 (+15%) | .340 (+17%) | .426 (+18%) | .767 (+18%) | 2031.7 |
| 1997 | CHA | AL | 93 | 318 | 40 | 97 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 52 | 0 | 41 | 47 | .305 | .266 (+14%) | .336 (+13%) | .419 (+13%) | .756 (+13%) | 902.8 |
| 1997 | BAL | AL | 44 | 134 | 15 | 39 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 14 | 15 | .291 | .266 (+9%) | .336 (+6%) | .419 (avg) | .756 (+2%) | 902.8 |
| 1998 | BAL | AL | 104 | 293 | 40 | 88 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 57 | 0 | 32 | 40 | .300 | .266 (+13%) | .335 (+10%) | .420 (+7%) | .755 (+8%) | 540.9 |
| 1999 | BAL | AL | 107 | 345 | 57 | 111 | 16 | 1 | 24 | 81 | 1 | 43 | 38 | .322 | .271 (+19%) | .344 (+15%) | .433 (+34%) | .778 (+26%) | 1816.7 |
| 1999 | CLE | AL | 28 | 85 | 5 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 10 | .271 | .271 (avg) | .344 (+3%) | .433 (-24%) | .778 (-12%) | 1816.7 |
| 2000 | BAL | AL | 72 | 222 | 24 | 59 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 0 | 29 | 39 | .266 | .270 (-2%) | .344 (+1%) | .437 (avg) | .782 (+1%) | 57.4 |
| 2000 | CHA | AL | 24 | 61 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 11 | .213 | .270 (-21%) | .344 (-15%) | .437 (-21%) | .782 (-18%) | 57.4 |
| 2001 | CHA | AL | 32 | 84 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 16 | .131 | .263 (-50%) | .332 (-39%) | .426 (-67%) | .758 (-55%) | -774.7 |
| Career · 27 seasons | 2,830 | 9,908 | 1,299 | 2,866 | 488 | 49 | 384 | 1,628 | 34 | 1,062 | 1,441 | .289 | — | — | — | — | 31,547 | ||
Lg columns show the league average for that season, with the player's figure as a percentage above or below it. Career totals the seasons listed above.
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 102 | 14 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 9 | 12 | .324 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ALDS2 | CHA | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| 1999 | ALDS1 | CLE | 4 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | .357 |
| 1997 | ALCS | BAL | 6 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .353 |
| 1997 | ALDS2 | BAL | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .400 |
| 1992 | ALCS | OAK | 6 | 25 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | .440 |
| 1990 | ALCS | OAK | 4 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .357 |
| 1990 | WS | OAK | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .143 |
| 1983 | ALCS | CHA | 4 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .125 |
Game Log & Splits
View full game log (2830 games) →Per-game data from Retrosheet (regular season, through 2025).
Batting — Home / Away
| Split | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 1410 | 4770 | 645 | 1382 | 185 | 836 | .290 |
| Away | 1420 | 5138 | 654 | 1484 | 199 | 792 | .289 |
Last 10 Games — Batting
| Date | Tm | Opp | Res | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-09-27 | CHW | MIN | W | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001-06-14 | CHW | CIN | W | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001-06-02 | CHW | DET | W | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001-05-27 | CHW | DET | W | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001-05-26 | CHW | DET | W | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001-05-25 | CHW | DET | W | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001-05-24 | CHW | TOR | W | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001-05-23 | CHW | TOR | L | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001-05-20 | CHW | OAK | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001-05-18 | CHW | OAK | L | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 1061 | 1014 | 2031 | 69 | 47 | 17 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | CHA | OF | 137 | 123 | 229 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| 1981 | CHA | OF | 80 | 67 | 120 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 | CHA | OF | 161 | 158 | 326 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| 1983 | CHA | OF | 155 | 152 | 312 | 10 | 9 | 3 |
| 1984 | CHA | OF | 147 | 145 | 307 | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| 1985 | CHA | OF | 159 | 158 | 318 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| 1986 | CHA | OF | 141 | 141 | 295 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
| 1987 | CHA | OF | 8 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | CHA | OF | 9 | 9 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | CHA | OF | 25 | 23 | 52 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | TEX | OF | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | TEX | OF | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | OAK | OF | 12 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | OAK | OF | 23 | 19 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | CHA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
Circle size = games played at each position.
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 7 |
| Center Field | 30 |
| Right Field | 1042 |
| Designated Hitter | 1643 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Player of the Week | Week of 1991-06-08 |
| 1989 | Silver Slugger | DH |
| 1989 | TSN All-Star | DH |
| 1988 | Outstanding DH Award | |
| 1988 | TSN All-Star | DH |
| 1987 | Outstanding DH Award | |
| 1985 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1984 | Player of the Week | Week of 1984-08-10 |
| 1983 | Player of the Week | Week of 1983-09-09 |
| 1982 | Player of the Week | Week of 1982-07-09 |
Salary History
Harold Baines's recorded salaries total $23,538,931 over 17 seasons, 1985 to 2001. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Baines's career ran from 1980 to 2001. His seasons before 1985 are not included.
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | CHA | AL | $1,000,000 |
| 2000 | BAL | AL | $2,000,000 |
| 1999 | BAL | AL | $1,730,000 |
| 1998 | BAL | AL | $1,275,000 |
| 1997 | CHA | AL | $1,925,000 |
| 1996 | CHA | AL | $1,875,000 |
| 1995 | BAL | AL | $1,919,445 |
| 1994 | BAL | AL | $1,925,000 |
| 1993 | BAL | AL | $1,200,000 |
| 1992 | OAK | AL | $1,583,333 |
| 1991 | OAK | AL | $1,358,333 |
| 1990 | TEX | AL | $1,143,539 |
| 1989 | TEX | AL | $1,204,281 |
| 1988 | CHA | AL | $1,000,000 |
| 1987 | CHA | AL | $950,000 |
| 1986 | CHA | AL | $775,000 |
| 1985 | CHA | AL | $675,000 |
| Total recorded salary (partial) | $23,538,931 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 9th | 49.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1984 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 13th | 10.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1983 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 10th | 49.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1982 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 20th | 9.0 | 392 | 0 |
Most Similar Players
Career comps based on counting + rate stats and primary position. Score is relative — closest peer anchors at ~98%.
Harold Baines (highlighted) compared to peers across the same era.
Compare Harold Baines
Harold Baines: the record in brief
Between the debut on April 10, 1980 and the final game on September 27, 2001, Harold Baines built the record summarized on this page. By club, Baines's seasons break down as the Chicago White Sox (1980 to 2001), the Texas Rangers (1989 to 1990), the Oakland Athletics (1990 to 1992), the Baltimore Orioles (1993 to 2000), and the Cleveland Indians (1999). Baines, born on March 15, 1959, in Easton, MD, USA, is listed as a designated hitter and threw and hit left-handed. Size on record: 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds. Baines's full given name, per the bio, is Harold Douglas Baines.
Baines finished with 2,866 hits from 9,908 at bats in 2,830 games, which works out to .289, along with 384 homers, 1,628 runs batted in, and 34 stolen bases. Reaching base at a .356 clip and slugging .465, Baines finished with a .820 OPS. Baines's .289 average ran 10.2% above the .262 that the league posted over the same seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions about Harold Baines
- What years did Harold Baines play?
- Harold Baines played in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 2001.
- Was Harold Baines a pitcher?
- No. Harold Baines was a position player (Designated Hitter).
- How many home runs did Harold Baines hit?
- Harold Baines hit 384 career home runs with 2,866 hits.
- Is Harold Baines in the Hall of Fame?
- Yes. Harold Baines was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
- What teams did Harold Baines play for?
- Harold Baines played for 5 teams: the Chicago White Sox (1980–1989, 1996–1997, 2000–2001), the Texas Rangers (1989–1990), the Oakland Athletics (1990–1992), the Baltimore Orioles (1993–1995, 1997–2000), and the Cleveland Indians (1999).
- Did Harold Baines win an MVP award?
- No. Harold Baines did not win the MVP award.
- What awards did Harold Baines win?
- Harold Baines won the Silver Slugger award (1989). He was selected to 6 All-Star Games.
- What were Harold Baines's career stats?
- In 2,830 games, Harold Baines had 2,866 hits, 384 home runs, 1,628 RBI, 1,299 runs, and 34 stolen bases, with a .289 batting average.
- How much did Harold Baines earn in his career?
- Harold Baines's recorded salaries total $23,538,931 over 17 seasons, 1985 to 2001. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Baines's career ran from 1980 to 2001. His seasons before 1985 are not included.
- What was Harold Baines's salary?
- Harold Baines's last recorded salary was $1,000,000, in 2001. His highest recorded salary was $2,000,000, in 2000, and his lowest was $675,000, in 1985. The Salary History table lists each season from 1985 to 2001.
- What position did Harold Baines play?
- Harold Baines played primarily as a designated hitter, the position where he appeared in the most games.
- How tall was Harold Baines and how much did he weigh?
- Harold Baines was listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 175 pounds.
- How many home runs did Harold Baines hit each season?
- Harold Baines's home runs by season: 13 in 1980, 10 in 1981, 25 in 1982, 20 in 1983, 29 in 1984, 22 in 1985, 21 in 1986, 20 in 1987, 13 in 1988, 16 in 1989, 16 in 1990, 20 in 1991, 16 in 1992, 20 in 1993, 16 in 1994, 24 in 1995, 22 in 1996, 16 in 1997, 9 in 1998, 25 in 1999, 11 in 2000, and 0 in 2001. His most in one season was 29, in 1984.
- What was Harold Baines's career batting average?
- Harold Baines batted .289 over his career, with 2,866 hits in 9,908 at bats.