Gene Baker Signed Baseball Pirates – COA JSA

Gene Baker signed & inscribed this “1960 Pirates Best Wishes- 10-13-94 ” on a  ONL (Coleman) baseball.  Gene Barker signed this ball in black felt pen and grades 9-10.  Authentication: JSA Basic Cert & Sticker

In 1961, Baker became the first African-American manager in Organized Baseball when the Pirates named him skipper of their Batavia Pirates farm club in the New York–Penn League. In 1962, he became the first black coach in Organized Baseball when the Pirates named him player-coach of their Triple-A International League affiliate Columbus Jets. In 1963, the Pirates promoted him to coach on the Major League team. He was the second black coach in the big leagues, following Buck O’Neil by a half-season. Baker then spent many years as a scout for the Pirates.