{{short description|American baseball player (born 1984)}} {{for-multi|the athlete and coach|Mike Baxter (athlete)|the television character|Last Man Standing (American TV series)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Mike Baxter |image = Mike Baxter on September 23, 2012.jpg |image_size = 250px |team = Vanderbilt Commodores |caption = Baxter with the New York Mets in 2012 |position = Outfielder / Coach |bats = Left |throws = Right |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|12|7}} |birth_place = Queens, New York, U.S. |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = September 6 |debutyear = 2010 |debutteam = San Diego Padres |finalleague=MLB |finaldate= July 8 |finalyear= 2015 |finalteam= Chicago Cubs |statleague = MLB |stat1label = Batting average |stat1value = .228 |stat2label = Home runs |stat2value = 4 |stat3label = Runs batted in |stat3value = 28 |teams = * San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2010}}) * New York Mets ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2013}}) * Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2014}}) * Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2015}}) }} '''Michael Joseph Baxter''' (born December 7, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. He was also the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for his alma Mater, Vanderbilt University.
==Early years== Baxter was born and raised in the Queens, New York neighborhood of Whitestone, where he attended St. Luke's Parish school and part of the Bayside Little League. He graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in 2002. Baxter attended Columbia University, and he then attended Vanderbilt University. In 2004 and 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League.<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=2020-05-11 |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |access-date=September 25, 2019 |website=Cape Cod Baseball}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Hyannis Mets |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/summer_stats/2004~Hyannis_Mets~CapeCod/ |accessdate=2025-02-01 |website=The Baseball Cube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2005 Hyannis Mets |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/summer_stats/2005~Hyannis_Mets~CapeCod/ |accessdate=2025-02-01 |website=The Baseball Cube}}</ref> He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2005 amateur entry draft.<ref name="Prospect">{{cite web|url=http://padres.scout.com/2/488097.html|title=Scouting Padres Prospect #38 Mike Baxter|last=Savage|first=Denis|date=January 12, 2006|publisher=scout.com|access-date=2009-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019193200/http://padres.scout.com/2/488097.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://padres.scout.com/2/641871.html|title=Baxter sticks to the plan|last=Lyman|first=Austin|date=May 6, 2007|publisher=scout.com|access-date=2009-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019193157/http://padres.scout.com/2/641871.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Professional career== [[File:Mike Baxter 2005.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Baxter playing for the Fort Wayne Wizards in {{Baseball year|2005}}]]
===San Diego Padres=== Baxter's contract was purchased by the Padres and he was promoted to the major leagues on September 6, 2010<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brock |first1=Corey |last2=Mizell |first2=Gina |date=2010-09-06 |title=Outfielder Baxter joins Padres from Triple-A |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100906&content_id=14378534¬ebook_id=14378784&vkey=notebook_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910102457/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100906&content_id=14378534¬ebook_id=14378784&vkey=notebook_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |archive-date=2010-09-10 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> and hit a pop fly to second base off Vicente Padilla of the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first at-bat, as a pinch hitter. He appeared in 9 games that season, all as a pinch hitter, with his only hit being on September 26 off Francisco Cordero of the Cincinnati Reds.
===New York Mets===
====2011==== After being placed on the 60-day disabled list in March 2011, Baxter began his rehab in Single-A, before being claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on July 22.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|title=Mets Claim Mike Baxter|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/mets-claim-mike-baxter.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|date=22 July 2011 |access-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> He was called up by New York on August 8. In his first game, he hit an RBI double against the San Diego Padres to bring the Mets closer to what would end up being a come-from-behind victory. On September 28, the final game of the Mets' season, Baxter hit his first career major league home run. It gave the Mets a 3–0 lead, and was the last home run and RBI of the season for the team. Baxter was non-tendered by the Mets on December 13 and became a free agent.<ref>{{Cite web|title=National League Non-Tenders|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/national-league-non-tenders-2.html|access-date=April 15, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 13, 2011 |language=en}}</ref> On December 16, he re-signed with the Mets on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.
====2012==== In 2012, Baxter began the season on the Mets active roster as a reserve outfielder. On June 1, 2012, in the seventh inning, Yadier Molina hit a ball to the warning track, and Baxter, playing left field, made a diving catch, running into the wall to make the play. Baxter's catch was crucial in helping Santana complete the no-hitter, which was the first in Mets history. Mets players and fans were impressed by Baxter's effort, with Josh Thole stating "It saved the no-hitter". Carlos Beltran called it an "unbelievable" play. the<ref name="NoHitter">{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Andrew |date=2012-06-03 |title=Mets place Baxter on DL, recall infielder Satin |url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120603&content_id=32708768&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206040624/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/32708768/ |archive-date=2014-12-06 |work=MLB.com}}</ref> He was subsequently placed on the team's disabled list on June 3.<ref name=NoHitter/> Despite the recoil, his big play led to Johan Santana's no-hitter, the first no-hitter in Mets' history. Baxter began a rehab assignment with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets on July 15, before being promoted to the Double-A Binghamton Mets and last to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On July 30, Baxter was activated from the 15-day disabled list. On August 4, during a game against the San Diego Padres, Baxter set a New York Mets franchise record by recording five walks in a nine-inning game, tying the record for most walks in a nine-inning game in the National League; this was most recently achieved by Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies.<ref>{{cite web |date=2012-08-04 |title=Baxter walks into Mets history |url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120804&content_id=36125856¬ebook_id=36154830&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810043120/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/36154830 |archive-date=2016-08-10 |work=MLB.com}}</ref> Baxter also tied a New York Mets franchise record for most walks in a game, regardless of the number of innings played. He tied Vince Coleman, who achieved the feat on August 10, 1992, in a 16-inning game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
====2013==== In 2013, Baxter was on the Mets' active roster for opening day for the second consecutive year. Despite being considered a front-runner for a starting outfield spot at the beginning of spring training, the starting job was instead given to Marlon Byrd, again relegating Baxter to a reserve role. In June, Baxter was sent down to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ackert |first=Kristie |date=2013-06-10 |title=Mets send first baseman Ike Davis to Triple-A Las Vegas |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/06/10/mets-send-first-baseman-ike-davis-to-triple-a-las-vegas/#ixzz2VlVxcdsy |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=NY Daily News}}</ref> On August 3, the Mets recalled Baxter to replace David Wright who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baron |first=Michael |date=2013-08-03 |title=Mets activate Mike Baxter, place David Wright on the 15-day disabled list |url=http://metsblog.com/metsblog/mets-activate-mike-baxter-place-david-wright-on-the-15-day-disabled-list/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805071637/http://metsblog.com/metsblog/mets-activate-mike-baxter-place-david-wright-on-the-15-day-disabled-list/ |archive-date=2013-08-05 |website=SNY.tv Mets Blog}}</ref> Baxter was optioned down on August 24 when Lucas Duda was recalled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazinavenue.com/2013/8/24/4653968/new-york-mets-lucas-duda-mike-baxter-recall-demote-option|title=Mets recall Lucas Duda, option Mike Baxter to Las Vegas|date=August 24, 2013|access-date=August 24, 2013|first=Chris|last=McShane}}</ref> He was called back up on September 8.
===Los Angeles Dodgers=== [[File:Mike Baxter on June 19, 2014.jpg|220px|thumb|Baxter with the Albuquerque Isotopes in {{Baseball year|2014}}]] On October 17, 2013, Baxter was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made the opening day roster and appeared in 4 games and was hitless in 7 at-bats before he was optioned to the minors. He was designated for assignment on April 6, 2014, cleared waivers, and was outrighted to AAA Albuquerque, where he hit .289 in 119 games.
===Chicago Cubs=== Baxter signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilmoth |first=Charlie |date=January 31, 2015 |title=Minor Moves: Hendrickson, Baxter, Perez |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/01/minor-moves-mike-baxter-juan-perez.html |access-date=January 31, 2015 |work=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> He was assigned to the Cubs Triple-A Iowa team to start the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-26 |title=Thursday's Sports Transactions |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Thursday-s-Sports-Transactions-6162144.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414053920/http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Thursday-s-Sports-Transactions-6162144.php |archive-date=2015-04-14 |website=SF Gate |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
Baxter's contract was selected by the Cubs and he was called up on May 19, 2015, as part of a number of roster moves made by the Cubs that day. He was optioned back down to Iowa on June 2 but recalled on June 3. On July 29, 2015, Baxter was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cubs-designate-rf-mike-baxter-for-assignment/ | title=CBS Sport Fantasy Baseball | date=July 29, 2015 | access-date=December 16, 2015 | work=CBS Sports | author=Palacios, Ruben}}</ref>
===Seattle Mariners=== On December 15, 2015, Baxter signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. He spent the 2016 campaign with the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, also appearing in three games for the Low–A Everett AquaSox. In 69 games for Tacoma, Baxter batted .241/.341/.405 with seven home runs, 36 RBI, and eight stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Minor League Free Agents 2016 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/ |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=Baseball America |language=en}}</ref>
==Post-playing career== Baxter served as a hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for the Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team at Vanderbilt University from 2018 to 2024.
==Awards and honors== * 2008 Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Baxter Stats, Highlights, Bio |url=https://www.milb.com/player/mike-baxter-488689 |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Minor League Baseball}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Baseball}} {{Baseballstats|mlb=488689|espn=29723|br=b/baxtemi01|fangraphs=4464|brm=baxter001mic}}
{{2019 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baxter, Mike}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Albuquerque Isotopes players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Archbishop Molloy High School alumni Category:Baseball players from Queens, New York Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Category:Binghamton Mets players Category:Chicago Cubs players Category:Columbia Lions baseball players Category:Columbia College, Columbia University alumni Category:Everett AquaSox players Category:Fort Wayne Wizards players Category:Hyannis Harbor Hawks players Category:Iowa Cubs players Category:Lake Elsinore Storm players Category:Las Vegas 51s players Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:New York Mets players Category:People from Whitestone, Queens Category:Peoria Saguaros players Category:Portland Beavers players Category:San Antonio Missions players Category:San Diego Padres players Category:St. Lucie Mets players Category:Tacoma Rainiers players Category:Vanderbilt Commodores baseball coaches Category:Vanderbilt Commodores baseball players