Richard BARKER
Richard Barker (left) and Frank Taddonio
Junior Worlds FL 2003
Baseball Hall of Fame
Malden HS Class of 1990
provided by Frank Taddonio
On November 12, 2004, in front of family and friends, Rich Barker of Crew West Athletics fame was inducted into the Malden High School (Boston, MA) Golden Tornado Club's Hall of Fame. It was a proud moment for his family and his friends. A member of the class of 1990, it is hard to think of Rich as old enough to be in the Hall of Fame. However, to consider all the achievements that this kid from Malden has accomplished in his young life is an amazing story.
He is well known for all the records he broke as a member of the MHS baseball team. Rich was well known to his coaches even at a young age for his excellent bat speed. He could really get around on a fast ball. He consistently carried a .500 batting average. But his true calling was that of a pitcher. In one memorable summer, Rich went undefeated in seven games and 83 strike outs in 67 innings with an ERA of 1.02. If that wasn’t enough, he batted .456 with seven home runs in that very same season.
Rich worked his way through Junior College and on through Inter-City League. In 1994, the Chicago Cubs drafted Rich in the 37th round. He continued his same outstanding performance on the mound through Double A and Triple A baseball leagues. In fact, while at Double A in Tennessee, Rich led the league with 51 appearances, 16 saves and a 2.68 ERA. In 1999, Rich got his big break into the Majors when the Cubs called him up from Triple A in Iowa. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, shoulder problems would cut his career short.
This was actually the second time Rich experienced difficulty in his life. There was a time when Rich was pitching for travel league when one summer day, a horrible accident happened. Rich was chasing down a fly ball and he got hit in the throat by another player going for the same ball. Rich was rushed to the hospital and had to have an emergency tracheotomy on the field. He is lucky to have made it but today, we are all lucky to have him here as our friend. Rich now lives in Fountain Hills with his loving wife Rose Marie and their two darling twin daughters.
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