Big Al "Bubba" Baker Background:
Graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey
Gradate: Colorado State University, was drafted in the second round of the 1978 draft by the Detroit Lions. Listed as 6-6 and 250 pounds
Made his mark early as he began his NFL career with the Lions with an incredible 23 sacks his rookie year, with five sacks in a single game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1978)
3× Pro Bowl (1978–1980)
All-Pro (1978)
He played for the Lions for five seasons, starting 66 of 67 games. In his last season with the Lions, 1982, when sacks became an official statistic, he totaled 8.5 in only nine games. He also had two career interceptions with the Lions.
During his career with the Lions he unofficially totaled 75.5 sacks including 23 sacks in 1978, 16 in 1979, 18 in 1980 and 10 in 1981, which are the franchise's top three all-time, single-season sack efforts.
He was picked as the 9th Greatest Pass Rusher in NFL History by Sports Illustrated. In 2007, he was named to the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
He played the next four seasons, 1983–86, with the St. Louis Cardinals, for whom his season sack totals were 13, 10, 4 and 10.5. In 1983, along with the 13 sacks, he also had two interceptions.
