He was offered a contract with the New York Yankees but opted to play football and baseball at the University of Oklahoma.

He also was a quarterback on the school's football team and set records as a punter and kicker.

Baer served in the United States Navy as a lieutenant during World War II as a physical fitness instructor and played football at Del Monte Pre-Flight School.

He was the fourth head baseball coach at the University of Oklahoma beginning his tenure in 1942 before he served in the U.S. Navy.

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