Lacrosse Loses A Legend

ARTICLE BY GARY GROOB | COLUMNIST AND CO-HOST

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TORONTO. - On Tuesday October 4th legendary goalie Pat Baker finally lost his battle with cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. A fierce competitor on the floor and a true gentleman off it, Pat Baker is being mourned by Peterborough’s lacrosse community.

Pat Baker was born in St. Catharines, ON in 1939. Pat helped his peewee team win a provincial title defeating Peterborough in the final. His family moved to Peterborough that year. He was a fine hockey player, playing right wing with the 1952 Ontario Bantam A Champion Peterborough Shamrocks and three years with the Hamilton Cubs Junior A team.

Between 1959 and 1973, Pat competed in 46 Canadian final games, representing Peterborough, Brooklin, Brampton and St. Catharines. Mr. Baker was on the victorious side in 1966, 1969 and 1973, winning the MVP award in the 1973 Mann Cup. Pat won the top OLA Senior Goaltender trophy 10 times, was Peterborough’s 1969 Athlete of the Year. Baker was considered a pioneer of the breakout pass.

Baker was named to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1980, the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1981, and the Peterborough and District’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. In 2008, Baker and his 1958 Minto Cup winning junior team were named to the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012, the 1956-59 Brampton Minto Cup dynasty was inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame, Baker playing for the 1958 edition of the team.

Pat coached Peterborough Minor and Junior B hockey teams for 15 years as well.

A true gentleman, and a legend of the game. Pat Baker will truly be missed.