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Back to 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship Live Coverage: Players

Michael Baker [#8] at 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship

[ Congratulations to the new National Champion, Trey Wright, who defeated David Gibson in three straight games, 365-328, 355-344 and 429-328. Please tune in to ESPN to watch the final games at 1 P.M. ET on Sunday, October 3rd, 2004. We welcome your e-mailed corrections to our web site. ]

On this page, you will find information about Michael Baker, who is a contestant in Division 1 at the 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship, held July 31st - August 5th in New Orleans, LA. This page is updated at least hourly between 09:00 A.M. and midnight CDT. Baker currently has a record of 15.5-14.5, +347, and is ranked #74 in Division 1.

Lower on this page, you can find brief self-reported biographical details of the player, statistics on the player's past several years of rated tournament play in North America, a graphic showing the player's ups and downs at this tournament, and a round-by-round report on the player's opponents and games.

Background Information

[player photo]

Given name(s): Michael
Surname(s): Baker
Home: Portland, OR, United States
Age: 44
Awards: 1st place, Div. 2 - 1994 NSC. I went to the state Spelling Bee as a high school senior.
Hobbies: Pool, Poker, bad golf
Occupation: Engineering Technician

 

Career History

5-year record against other players at this event256.5-266.5 (0.490) 
Past 1-12 months45-30 (0.600)W LLLL WW L WWWW LLLL W LL WW L W L WW L WW LLL WWW L WWW LL WWWWWWWWWWWWWW LL WW L W L W LL WWW LLLL WWW
Past 13-24 months45-53 (0.459)W L W L W LL W LLLLL WW LL W L WW LL W LLL WW LL W LLLLL W L W L W L WW LLLLLLLL WW L WW L W LL WWWWWWWW LLLLLL W LL W LL WWWWWW L W L W L WWWW L
Past 25-36 months57.5-69.5 (0.453)LL W LL W LLLLLLL W LLLLL W L W L WWW L W L W LLL WW LL WW L WWW L W LLLLL WWW L WWWW LL WWW LLLL WWWWW LL WWTWWW LLLL W L W LL W L WWW LLLL WWWW L W LL W LLLLLL WW L W LLLL WW LL WW
Past 37-48 months59-58 (0.504)LLLLL WW LLL WW LL WW LL W L WWW LL WWWWW L WWW LL WWWW LL WWW LL W LLLLL WW L WW L W LL WW LL WWW LLL WW L W LL WWWWW L WWW L WWWW LLLLL WWW LLL W LL W LLLL W LLL WW
Past 49-60 months50-56 (0.472)LLLL WWWW LLLLL WW LLL WW L W L W L W LLL WW L WWWWWWWW LL W LL WW LL WWW L W L WW L W L W L W LL WW LL WW LL WW LLL W LLLLLL W LLLL W LL W L W LL W L WWW L WW

 

Rank Diagram

[rank diagram]
See legend

 

Round-by-Round

High score: 532
Average for: 404
Average against: 394

Round 1  

Baker recorded a win with a spread of 48 points.

Current ranking: #61.

Current record: 1-0, +48.

Round 2

[player photo]

Baker played #112 Christina O'Sullivan (Seattle, WA) and won 439 to 419 (a spread of 20) .

The last time these two played was 2003-09 at: PORTLAND VS SEATTLE

Baker's record vs. O'Sullivan in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-2 (0.500).
Past 1-12 months: L.
Past 13-24 months: W.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: LW.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #49.

Current record: 2-0, +68.

Round 3

[player photo]

Baker played #32 Robin Pollock Daniel (Toronto ON) and lost 399 to 419 (a spread of -20) .

The last time these two played was 2002-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Baker's record vs. Daniel in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: no games.
Past 25-36 months: L.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #70.

Current record: 2-1, +48.

Round 4

[player photo]

Baker played #19 Gerald Carter (Thailand) and lost 348 to 369 (a spread of -21) .

The last time these two played was 2000-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Baker's record vs. Carter in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: no games.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: L.

Current ranking: #81.

Current record: 2-2, +27.

Baker is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).

Round 5

[player photo]

Baker played #95 Kenji Matsumoto (Aiea, HI) and won 492 to 311 (a spread of 181) .

The last time these two played was 2003-07 at: RENO, NV

Baker's record vs. Matsumoto in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-2 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: L.
Past 25-36 months: L.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #47.

Current record: 3-2, +208.

Round 6

[player photo]

Baker played #44 Diane Firstman (Brooklyn, NY) and lost 379 to 397 (a spread of -18) .

The last time these two played was 2003-05 at: SEATTLE, WA

Baker's record vs. Firstman in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-2 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: LL.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #67.

Current record: 3-3, +190.

Round 7

[player photo]

Baker played #142 Louis Schecter (Brooklyn, NY) and lost 347 to 401 (a spread of -54) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Schecter in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #91.

Current record: 3-4, +136.

Round 8

[no photo available]

Baker played #150 Keith Smith (Austin, TX) and won 367 to 330 (a spread of 37) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Smith in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #79.

Current record: 4-4, +173.

Round 9

[player photo]

Baker played #147 Larry Sherman (Bronx, NY) and won 459 to 344 (a spread of 115) .

The last time these two played was 2001-08 at: MASTER'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Baker's record vs. Sherman in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: no games.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: L.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #54.

Current record: 5-4, +288.

Round 10

[player photo]

Baker played #170 Joel Wapnick (Montréal QC) and won 434 to 432 (a spread of 2) .

The last time these two played was 2001-08 at: MASTER'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Baker's record vs. Wapnick in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: no games.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: L.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #45.

Current record: 6-4, +290.

Baker is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).

Round 11

[player photo]

Baker played #41 Paul Epstein (Ann Arbor, MI) and lost 400 to 442 (a spread of -42) .

The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI

Baker's record vs. Epstein in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: W.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: LW.

Current ranking: #58.

Current record: 6-5, +248.

Round 12

[player photo]

Baker played #12 Evan Berofsky (Thornhill ON) and lost 323 to 478 (a spread of -155) .

The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI

Baker's record vs. Berofsky in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-0 (1.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: WW.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #79.

Current record: 6-6, +93.

Baker is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).

Round 13

[player photo]

Baker played #116 Ifeanyi Onyeonwu (Austin, TX) and won 449 to 412 (a spread of 37) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Onyeonwu in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #72.

Current record: 7-6, +130.

Round 14

[player photo]

Baker played #109 Rita Norr (Danbury, CT) and won 532 to 363 (a spread of 169) .

The last time these two played was 2002-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Baker's record vs. Norr in the 5 years leading up to this event: 3-3 (0.500).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: no games.
Past 25-36 months: W.
Past 37-48 months: L.
Past 49-60 months: LWLW.

Current ranking: #52.

Current record: 8-6, +299.

Round 15

[player photo]

Baker played #148 Paul Sidorsky (Calgary AB) and lost 384 to 419 (a spread of -35) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Sidorsky in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #63.

Current record: 8-7, +264.

Round 16

[player photo]

Baker played #77 Carol Kaplan (San Diego, CA) and lost 346 to 384 (a spread of -38) .

The last time these two played was 2004-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ

Baker's record vs. Kaplan in the 5 years leading up to this event: 14-12 (0.538).
Past 1-12 months: WWW.
Past 13-24 months: LWLLWLL.
Past 25-36 months: WLLLW.
Past 37-48 months: LWWWWW.
Past 49-60 months: LWLWL.

Current ranking: #79.

Current record: 8-8, +226.

Round 17

[player photo]

Baker played #164 Siri Tillekeratne (Calgary AB) and lost 314 to 409 (a spread of -95) .

The last time these two played was 2004-05 at: SEATTLE, WA

Baker's record vs. Tillekeratne in the 5 years leading up to this event: 30-2 (0.938).
Past 1-12 months: WWWLWW.
Past 13-24 months: WWWWWW.
Past 25-36 months: WWWLWWWWW.
Past 37-48 months: WWWWWW.
Past 49-60 months: WWWWW.

Current ranking: #93.

Current record: 8-9, +131.

Round 18

[no photo available]

Baker played #150 Keith Smith (Austin, TX) and tied at 375 .

Before this event, Baker had not played Smith in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #98.

Current record: 8.5-9.5, +131.

Round 19

[player photo]

Baker played #120 Libero Paolella (Toronto ON) and won 503 to 321 (a spread of 182) .

The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI

Baker's record vs. Paolella in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-0 (1.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: WW.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #79.

Current record: 9.5-9.5, +313.

Round 20

[player photo]

Baker played #76 Sam Kantimathi (El Dorado Hills, CA) and won 395 to 299 (a spread of 96) .

The last time these two played was 2004-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ

Baker's record vs. Kantimathi in the 5 years leading up to this event: 6-3 (0.667).
Past 1-12 months: W.
Past 13-24 months: W.
Past 25-36 months: LL.
Past 37-48 months: WWW.
Past 49-60 months: LW.

Current ranking: #67.

Current record: 10.5-9.5, +409.

Round 21

[player photo]

Baker played #164 Siri Tillekeratne (Calgary AB) and won 523 to 286 (a spread of 237) .

The last time these two played was 2004-05 at: SEATTLE, WA

Baker's record vs. Tillekeratne in the 5 years leading up to this event: 30-2 (0.938).
Past 1-12 months: WWWLWW.
Past 13-24 months: WWWWWW.
Past 25-36 months: WWWLWWWWW.
Past 37-48 months: WWWWWW.
Past 49-60 months: WWWWW.

Current ranking: #57.

Current record: 11.5-9.5, +646.

Round 22

[player photo]

Baker played #79 Zev Kaufman (Toronto ON) and lost 364 to 401 (a spread of -37) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Kaufman in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #69.

Current record: 11.5-10.5, +609.

Round 23

[player photo]

Baker played #41 Paul Epstein (Ann Arbor, MI) and won 462 to 409 (a spread of 53) .

The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI

Baker's record vs. Epstein in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: W.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: LW.

Current ranking: #60.

Current record: 12.5-10.5, +662.

Round 24

[player photo]

Baker played #44 Diane Firstman (Brooklyn, NY) and lost 338 to 522 (a spread of -184) .

The last time these two played was 2003-05 at: SEATTLE, WA

Baker's record vs. Firstman in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-2 (0.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: LL.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #70.

Current record: 12.5-11.5, +478.

Baker is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).

Baker is mentioned in this round's photo captions (2 hits).

Round 25

[player photo]

Baker played #67 Marlon Hill (Baltimore, MD) and lost 360 to 483 (a spread of -123) .

The last time these two played was 1999-11 at: PITTSBURGH, PA

Baker's record vs. Hill in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: no games.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: W.

Current ranking: #83.

Current record: 12.5-12.5, +355.

Round 26

[player photo]

Baker played #68 Ron Hoekstra (Kentwood, MI) and won 394 to 305 (a spread of 89) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Hoekstra in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #73.

Current record: 13.5-12.5, +444.

Round 27

[player photo]

Baker played #113 Lisa Odom (St. Louis Park, MN) and lost 371 to 503 (a spread of -132) .

The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: PORTLAND, OR

Baker's record vs. Odom in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-5 (0.167).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: LW.
Past 25-36 months: L.
Past 37-48 months: LLL.
Past 49-60 months: no games.

Current ranking: #88.

Current record: 13.5-13.5, +312.

Round 28

[player photo]

Baker played #43 Mark Fidler (Waltham, MA) and lost 392 to 399 (a spread of -7) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Fidler in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #99.

Current record: 13.5-14.5, +305.

Round 29

[player photo]

Baker played #96 Jesse Matthews (Calgary AB) and won 411 to 392 (a spread of 19) .

Before this event, Baker had not played Matthews in at least 5 years.

Current ranking: #88.

Current record: 14.5-14.5, +324.

Round 30

[player photo]

Baker played #41 Paul Epstein (Ann Arbor, MI) and won 413 to 390 (a spread of 23) .

The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI

Baker's record vs. Epstein in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667).
Past 1-12 months: no games.
Past 13-24 months: W.
Past 25-36 months: no games.
Past 37-48 months: no games.
Past 49-60 months: LW.

Current ranking: #74.

Current record: 15.5-14.5, +347.

Final Round 3  

Baker is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).


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