Sam Baker (kicker)

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Sam Baker

| image = Sam Baker 1958.jpg

| caption = Baker in 1958

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lbs = 205

| position = Kicker
Punter
Fullback

| number = 45, 49, 38

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|11|12}}

| birth_place = San Francisco, California, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|6|5|1930|11|12}}

| death_place = Tacoma, Washington, U.S.

| draftyear = 1952

| draftround = 11

| draftpick = 133
(by the Los Angeles Rams){{cite web|url=http://databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=LAM&lg=nfl&yr=1952 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104211937/http://databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=LAM&lg=nfl&yr=1952 |title=1952 Los Angeles Rams |website=databaseFootball.com |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |url-status=usurped |access-date=July 17, 2020}}

| high_school = Corvallis (Corvallis, Oregon)

| college = Oregon State

| pastteams =

Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1953}}, {{NFL Year|1956}}–{{NFL Year|1959}})
Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|1960}}–{{NFL Year|1961}})
Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1962}}–{{NFL Year|1963}})
Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1964}}–{{NFL Year|1969}})

| highlights =

First-team All-Pro (1966)
4× Pro Bowl (1956, 1963, 1964, 1968)
NFL scoring leader ({{nfly|1957}})
First-team All-PCC (1952)
2× Second-team All-PCC (1950, 1951)

| pfr = BakeSa20

| statlabel1 = Games played

| statvalue1 = 195

| statlabel2 = Field goal made

| statvalue2 = 179

| statlabel3 = Field goal attempts

| statvalue3 = 316

| statlabel4 = Field goal %

| statvalue4 = 56.6%

| statlabel5 = Punts

| statvalue5 = 703

| statlabel6 = Punting yards

| statvalue6 = 29,938

}}

Loris Hoskins "Sam" Baker (November 12, 1930 – June 5, 2007), was an American football player in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. While he played several positions, he was best known for being a punter and kicker. He played college football at Oregon State College, where he was a star fullback.

Baker led the NFL in scoring in 1957, was a first team All-Pro in 1966, and was selected four times to participate in the league's postseason Pro Bowl All-Star game.

Early life

Baker was born on November 12, 1930,{{Cite web |title=Loris Baker Obituary (2007) - Legacy Remembers |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/loris-baker-obituary?id=17313519 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Legacy.com}}{{Cite web |date=2018-11-17 |title=Sam Baker – Football {{!}} Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum |url=https://oregonsportshall.org/timeline/sam-baker-football/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |language=en-US}} in San Francsico. (It has also been stated he was born on November 12, 1929.) He was raised in Tacoma, Washington and then moved to Corvallis, Oregon as a high school senior when his father accepted a job with Oregon State University (then known as Oregon State College).{{Cite web |title=From Head to Toe, Baker Stood Apart From Crowd |url=https://osubeavers.com/sports/2007/6/20/207859943 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Oregon State University Athletics |language=en}}

Baker attended Stadium High School in Tacoma before transferring after his junior year to Corvallis High School, where he graduated in 1949. In high school, he excelled in baseball and basketball, as well as football.{{Cite web |title=1977 Inductees – Washington Sports Hall of Fame |url=https://washingtonsportshof.org/1977-inductees/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |language=en-US}} He was an all-around standout in track at Corvallis, but at the time there was not a state decathlon championship, so he only participated in individual events such as shot put, javelin, discus, high jump and broad jump.{{cite web |last=Love |first=Bill |date=April 12, 1948 |title=Highlights (Eugene Register-Guard) |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19480412&id=LdRPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4636,228548&hl=en |accessdate=January 7, 2018}}

He helped his team win the 1948 Oregon state championship in basketball and also lettered in baseball. He has the distinction of receiving All-State honors in both Washington and Oregon.{{cite web |date=October 22, 1952 |title=Notes From Quite a Few Corners (The Spokesman-Review) |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19521022&id=3JspAAAAIBAJ&pg=4030,2060754&hl=en |accessdate=January 7, 2018}}

College career

Baker accepted a football scholarship from Oregon State College, located in his home town of Corvallis, Oregon. He spent the 1949 season on the rookie team. He lettered for the varsity team from 1950 to 1952 as a running back/kicker/safety.

As a sophomore, he rushed for 668 yards (fourth in the conference). As a junior, he rushed for 830 yards (second in the conference).{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} In his career at OSU, Baker gained 1,947 or 2,043 yards{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} on 487 carries and was the school record-holder in both categories when he left. He was voted most valuable player by teammates for three straight years (1950-52).{{Cite web |title=OSU Player Accolades, Leadership, 176-182 |url=https://static.osubeavers.com/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/08-mg-sec17.pdf |website=static.osubeavers.com}} He was selected All-Pacific Coast Conference first-team in 1952 by the Associated Press.{{Cite news |date=1952-11-27 |title=1952 AP All PCC football team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-1952-ap-all-pcc-fo/2579751/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |work=The Kansas City Times |pages=92}}

In 1952, Baker participated in the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco, setting a record for the longest punt (72 yards).

When compared to OSU players since 1956, he ranks 14th in career rushing yards, and 9th in career rushing attempts (as of 2025).{{Cite web |title=Oregon State Beavers Rushing |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oregon-state/rushing.html |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} He had five 100-yard games, with a best of 159 on 30 carries{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} in the 1951 Civil War game at Hayward Field, between OSU and the University of Oregon; scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull out a 14–7 victory for OSU.{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Oregonian/OregonLive |date=2016-11-22 |title=Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers: Civil War football history, 1940-1959 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/civilwar/2016/11/oregon_ducks_vs_oregon_state_b_10.html |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=oregonlive |language=en}} In the 1950 Civil War game, Baker had a 59-yard touchdown run on a fake punt, and ran for over 100 yards. He scored the final touchdown at old Bell Field in the final 1952 home game.

Professional career

=Los Angeles Rams=

Baker was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the eleventh round (133rd overall) of the 1952 NFL draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over. On July 6, 1953, his draft rights were sold to the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=1952 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1952/draft.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Gosselin |first=Rick |date=2022-06-24 |title=State Your Case: Sam Baker |url=https://rickgosselin.com/state-your-case-sam-baker/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Rick Gosselin |language=en-US}}

=Washington Redskins=

In 1953, he played sparingly in his first season with the Washington Redskins, under coach Curly Lambeau, before spending two years out of professional football, while serving his military service at Fort Ord.{{cite web |last=Halbrooks |first=Hap |date=December 16, 1956 |title=Sam Baker Illustrates He Can Do Both Types Of Pro Kicking (Times Daily) |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19561216&id=LiMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5743,1980030&hl=en |accessdate=January 7, 2018}}{{Cite web |title=Curly Lambeau Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/LambCu0.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

In 1956, although he was initially being considered for the right halfback position, he was asked to become the team's kicker after Vic Janowicz suffered a serious brain injury in an automobile accident that ended his athletic career.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19561216&id=LiMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=5743,1980030&hl=en | title=Eagles' Baker ('Call me Sam') Has No Kicks | accessdate=January 7, 2018}} That same year he also became the punter after Eddie LeBaron was sidelined with an injury.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19561213&id=hqYrAAAAIBAJ&pg=7174,4003626&hl=en | title=The Scoreboard | accessdate=January 7, 2018}} He was given the nickname "Sugarfoot",{{Cite web |title=Flashback: Redskins Stunned Colts In 1959 |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/flashback-redskins-stunned-colts-in-1959-3447065 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.commanders.com |language=en-US}} after leading the NFL in field goals (17),{{Cite web |title=1956 NFL Kicking |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1956/kicking.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} starting an 11-year streak of averaging at least 40 yards per punt attempt and being named to the Pro Bowl.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19570114&id=HWdgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1305,2299606&hl=en | title=West Outkicks East Pro Stars | accessdate=January 7, 2018}}

In 1957, he tied with Lou Groza with a league-high 77 points (including an 11-yard{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins - December 15th, 1957 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195712150was.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} or 20-yard{{Cite news |date=December 16, 1957 |title=Baker's 20-Yard Gallop, Field Goal, Paces Skins To 10–3 Win Over Pitt |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=pp19571216-01.1.9&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN---------- |work=Plattsburgh Press-Republican}} touchdown run off of a fake kick against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, to go along with 14 field goals and 29 extra points made on the year).{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/leaders/scoring |title=Archived copy |website=NFL.com |accessdate=2007-06-22 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625014728/http://www.nfl.com/history/leaders/scoring |archivedate=2007-06-25 }} NFL Scoring Leaders{{Cite web |title=1957 NFL Kicking |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1957/kicking.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

In 1958, his 45.4-yard punting average was the best in the league,{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/leaders/punting |title=Archived copy |website=NFL.com |accessdate=2007-06-22 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801082103/http://www.nfl.com/history/leaders/punting |archivedate=2003-08-01 }} NFL Punting Leaders while he still managed to convert 25 extra points in 25 attempts. On April 25, 1960, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Fran O'Brien and Robert Khayat.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1243&dat=19600426&id=AZBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=2071,5260479&hl=en | title=Browns get place kicker Sam Baker | accessdate=January 7, 2018}}

=Cleveland Browns=

In 1960, he relinquished his fullback duties with the Cleveland Browns and would replace the retired Groza, who left after the 1959 season because of a back injury.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19600917&id=rT5SAAAAIBAJ&pg=1765,3336795&hl=en | title=Cleveland's Great Kicking Star Retires | accessdate=January 7, 2018}}{{Cite web |title=Lou Groza did it all for Cleveland -- during and after his Hall of Fame career |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/lou-groza-did-it-all-for-cleveland-during-and-after-his-hall-of-fame-ca-15902702 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.clevelandbrowns.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Donahue |first=Ben |date=2020-08-09 |title=The Life And Career Of "The Toe," Lou Groza (Complete Story) |url=https://www.brownsnation.com/lou-groza/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Browns Nation |language=en-US}} He led the NFL in extra points made (44) and extra points attempted (46).{{Cite web |title=1960 NFL Kicking |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1960/kicking.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He posted a 42-yard punting average.

In 1961, Groza returned to the team after his back felt better and Baker focused only on punting.{{Cite web |title=1961 Cleveland Browns Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/1961.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was the league's eighth ranked punter with an average of 43.3-yards per punt.{{Cite web |title=1961 NFL Punting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1961/punting.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On December 30, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Tom Franckhauser.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19611231&id=zG5QAAAAIBAJ&pg=2934,5074663&hl=en | title=Punter Baker Traded for End | accessdate=January 7, 2018}}

=Dallas Cowboys=

In 1962, he set the team record of 45.4 yards-per-punt that was not broken until 2006 by Mat McBriar with a 48.2-yard average.{{Cite web |title=Countdown: Versatile Runner Built Like A "House" |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/countdown-versatile-runner-built-like-a-house |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.dallascowboys.com |language=en-US}} He also set club records for most points scored in a season (92), longest field goal (53 yards) and longest punt (72 yards).{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} He was the NFL leader in extra points made (50), extra points attempted (51),{{Cite web |title=1962 NFL Kicking |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962/kicking.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} ranked third in punting average (45.4){{Cite web |title=1962 NFL Punting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962/punting.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} and sixth in scoring (92).{{Cite web |title=1962 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962/leaders.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

In 1963, he became the first Cowboys punter to make the Pro Bowl,{{Cite web |title=1963 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963/probowl.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} after registering a 44.2-yard average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Baker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakeSa20.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} His 40.6-yard net average per punt still ranks third in team history.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Baker played two seasons as a punter and kicker for the Dallas Cowboys, until his disregard for the team rules and discipline wore thin with head coach Tom Landry.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} In both years he led the league in net punting average.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} He also became the first player in club history to have 2 seasons with a 44-yard or better gross punting average.{{Cite web |title=1960 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1960.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1961 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1961.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

On March, 20, 1964, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles along with John Meyers and Lynn Hoyem, in exchange for wide receiver Tommy McDonald.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19640321&id=BzlWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5808,1543428 | title=Tom Mcdonald Joins Cowboys | accessdate=January 7, 2018}}

=Philadelphia Eagles=

Baker remained with the Philadelphia Eagles for the last six seasons of his career.{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Zach |date=April 1, 2020 |title=The best players by jersey number in Eagles history (The Athletic) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1713091/2020/04/01/the-best-players-by-jersey-number-in-eagles-history/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He played in the 1964 and 1968 Pro Bowls.{{Cite web |title=1964 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1964/probowl.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1968 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1968/probowl.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was waived on September 2, 1970, just ahead of the coming season.{{cite web |date=September 3, 1970 |title=Eagles Give Sam Baker The Boot (The Evening Indepedent) |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19700903&id=CN4LAAAAIBAJ&pg=4360,696712&hl=en |accessdate=January 7, 2018}} As of the 2025 season, he is fourth on the all-time Eagles scoring list.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles Career Scoring Summary Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/career-scoring.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

= Career =

Upon retiring he was the number two scorer in NFL history (977 points) and held the record of scoring in 110 straight games. As of 2025, he is 73rd on the all-time NFL scoring list.{{Cite web |title=NFL Points Scored Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/scoring_career.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He played for 15 seasons, with more than 700 punts and making 179 field goals.

Honors

In 1977, Baker was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame. In 1980, Baker was inducted into the State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. In 1991, he was inducted into the Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal life

Baker met his wife Sarah at Corvalis High School, and both attended OSU. They had four daughters. After Baker retired from football, the family moved to Fircrest, Washington.

Death

Baker died due to complications from diabetes on June 5, 2007.[https://www.newspapers.com/article/corvallis-gazette-times-ex-chs-osu-star/161232758/ "Ex-CHS, OSU Star Baker Dies at 76,"] Corvallis Gazette-Times, June 21, 2007, p. B3. He was 76 years old at the time of his death.

References

External links

[https://osubeavers.com/sports/2007/6/20/207859943.aspx From Head to Toe, Baker Stood Apart From Crowd]
[http://oregonsportshall.org/football/ Oregon Sports Hall of Fame bio]

Category:1930 births

Category:2007 deaths

Category:Players of American football from Tacoma, Washington

Category:American football punters

Category:American football placekickers

Category:Oregon State Beavers football players

Category:Washington Redskins players

Category:Cleveland Browns players

Category:Dallas Cowboys players

Category:Philadelphia Eagles players

Category:Eastern Conference Pro Bowl players

Category:Corvallis High School (Oregon) alumni

Category:Stadium High School alumni