in the fifth round of the 1958 nfl draft, baker was selected by the los angeles rams. over eleven seasons he played for the rams (1958–61), philadelphia eagles (1962), pittsburgh steelers (1963–67) and detroit lions (1968). with the steelers, he was famous for his tackle on new york giants quarterback y. a. tittle in 1964, which left tittle bloodied and helmet-less.