If you travel anywhere in the state of Kentucky and tell people you are from Trigg County, odds are you will be asked about Al Baker.
Baker was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in 1985 after wrapping up a career that saw him run for 5,396 yards from 1981-85, which was the fourth highest total in Kentucky history at the time of his graduation.
Al was also a standout in track and field where he still holds the Class 1A state record in the 100-meter dash at 10.7 seconds. The overall state record is 10.46 seconds by U.S. Olympian Tyson Gay of Lafayette High in 2001.
Baker’s 40 time his senior year was 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a guy who could also bench press 360 pounds, squat 600 pounds, and deadlift 585 pounds.
Baker went on to play football at the University of Kentucky, where he struggled with an early injury and inability to mesh with Coach Jerry Claiborne. He came close to quitting the Wildcats during his junior season but a coaching change also resulted in a mind change.
In his senior season under Coach Bill Curry, Baker ran for a team-high 780 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns and was named Second Team All-SEC.
Baker was selected by the New York Jets in the 10th round of the 1991 draft, although injuries caused him to leave camp before playing a game in the NFL.
Al was inducted into the inaugural class of the Trigg County High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and currently lives in Ashland with his wife. They have three kids.
