HAROLD BAINES – MWWL HALL OF FAME BALLOT BIO
Harold Baines is undoubtedly worthy of induction into the Mid-West Winter League (MWWL) Hall of Fame, having compiled a career that exemplifies both longevity and elite offensive production. Over 20 seasons, Baines amassed a towering total of 2,396 hits, 332 home runs, and 1,374 runs batted in (RBI), finishing his career with an excellent slash line of .287 average, .354 on-base percentage (OB%), and .466 slugging percentage (SLG%), resulting in an .820 OPS.
Baines played for five MWWL teams: the Steel City Sluggers, Traverse City Tigers, Flossmoor Flying Squirrels, Montreal Canadiens, and Hollywood Vampires. His career began with the Sluggers (1980–1988), where he established himself as a premier hitter. During his nine years with the Sluggers, he was named an All-Star Game Starter three times (1982, 1984, 1985), and the middle years of his career, spent primarily with the Flying Squirrels (1991–1998), further cemented his status as a feared run-producer.
His excellence wasn’t limited to the regular season; Baines was a formidable postseason performer. Across 84 playoff plate appearances, he posted a superb .841 OPS in the Division Series, highlighted by a dominant .429 average and .857 SLG% during the 1995 series. He delivered his most excellent October performance in the 1981 World Series with the SCS, recording a phenomenal .409 average, .727 SLG%, and 8 RBIs, helping his team secure the final victory.
Harold Baines ranks among the MWWL’s all-time greats in nearly every offensive category, serving as the cornerstone of multiple winning teams and consistently delivering on the biggest stages. His sheer production and sustained excellence over two decades make him an automatic selection for the Mid-West Winter League Hall of Fame.