Jordan Christopher Baker (born December 23, 1981) is an American umpire for Major League Baseball.[1][2]

Jordan Baker
Baker in 2014
Born: (1981-12-23) December 23, 1981 (age 42)
Enid, Oklahoma, U.S.
MLB debut
June 22, 2012
Crew Information
Umpiring crew8
Crew members
Career highlights and awards
Special Assignments

At 6' 7", Baker is the tallest active MLB umpire.[3] Baker gained attention during the 2013 season for throwing wads of chewed gum onto the outfield grass after each half inning. Some critics described such action as disrespectful to the players and the ground crews.[4][5][6]

Baker was the second base umpire on July 30, 2017, when Adrián Beltré of the Texas Rangers got his 3000th career hit against the Baltimore Orioles.

Baker made his first postseason assignment in 2017, appearing in the 2017 National League Wild Card Game.

Baker was the home plate umpire in the Texas Rangers' last game at Globe Life Park.

Baker was the second base umpire when Domingo German threw a perfect game on June 28, 2023, at Oakland Coliseum.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "MLB Umpire Roster". CloseCallSports.com. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  2. ^ "Jordan Baker". Retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire: Jordan Baker." Close Call Sports and the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Houston (June 6, 2013). "Umpire Jordan Baker gaining notice for gum-throwing habit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Dickey, Jack (June 5, 2013). "Weirdo Rookie Umpire Fills Left Field With His Chewed Gum". deadspin.com. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  6. ^ Oz, Mike (June 5, 2013). "Umpire's odd gum-throwing ritual: a salute to the game or a disrespectful gesture?". Big League Stew. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  7. ^ "Yankees 11-0 Athletics (Jun 28, 2023) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved June 29, 2023.