One-Hit Wonders - Mark Baker

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Nov 4, 2005 5:06 PM EST

Mark Baker is one of the elite for this series of articles, as his stint with the Raps lasted just shy of one month back in 1999 and he entered into exactly ONE game where he played 2 minutes went 0/1 from the floor and did nothing else statistically. Unfortunately for all Raptors fans, his minutes came in Washington and he never again saw the floor for the Raps.

Baker was the third Raptor to sport the number 4 after the hockey fan favorite Vincenzo Esposito in 1995 and Sharone Wright from 1996-99. This 6'1" 185 lbs guard played his college ball alongside other future NBAers including Chris Jent, Jim Jackson, and Lawrence Funderbunk in 1992 and was an All-American. In fact this Ohio State team was a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and lost in the elite 8 in overtime to arch-rival Michigan.

Prior to his stint with the Raps, Baker played some ball in the USBL where in 1997 he was actually named the post-season MVP, a second team regular season all-star and a member of the all-defensive squad while playing for Atlantic City Seagulls. Baker also spent some time in Europe playing professional basketball and now lives in Dayton and oversees what else.....the Mark Baker Foundation that helps junior and senior high-school athletes "succeed in academics and their personal lives, as well as sports endeavors."

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Wow, what a mean spirited blog page this is. I stumbled upon this blog while looking up information on Mark's foundation. As a person who has known of Mark during his high school days and known him personally while he played semi-pro ball, then profesiionally, though as you pointed out not for very long; it hurt me to read this page. That brief playing time was a dream come true for Mark. Even after recovering from the injury that resulted in the BRIEF time on the court, Mark made the decision to stop focusing on trying to achieve his own dream, but to start helping others.

Mark is still very respected in the Dayton Community and upon the advice of profesiional consultants, named the foundation after himself because it was suggested that this would increase buy-in and sponsorships, and/or donations. I know from personal experience he is not doing this for himself, as he works very hard on behalf of the foundation, and still, to this day, is it's biggest financial supporter, giving both his time and his money to this community. The WORK he does for the Dayton Community makes him more than a ONE HIT WONDER because the goals he now aims for are worth far more than two points!
LMA

by LM Arnold on Jul 13, 2006 11:53 PM EDT reply actions