Baker was a high marking forward and started his career at North Melbourne in 1971, after originally playing with Rutherglen and then Albury in the Ovens & Murray Football League.
His accuracy at goal as opposed to Arnold Briedis's inaccuracy, kept North Melbourne in the game against Collingwood.
In 1978 he played in North Melbourne's losing grand final against Hawthorn and kicked another bag of six goals.
The highlight of the 1978 grand final was his high leaping marks and desperate efforts to get North Melbourne back in the game.
His teammates usually entered the field with the immortal words ringing in their ears, No messing around, long bombs to Snake".