Austin Renames Park After MLB Star Don Baylor

The renaming honors Baylor's journey from exclusion to recognition in his hometown, as well as his lasting legacy.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The city of Austin, Texas has renamed Westenfield Park to Don Baylor Park, honoring the late Major League Baseball star and longtime community advocate. Baylor, an Austin native, was barred from playing at the park as a child due to segregation, but went on to have an extraordinary 19-year MLB career that included an American League MVP award and a World Series championship. The park renaming is a deeply personal recognition for Baylor's family and reflects Austin's efforts to highlight local Black history and the people who shaped it.

Why it matters

The renaming of the park symbolizes the progress made in overcoming racial segregation and exclusion in Austin, while also celebrating Baylor's remarkable achievements and lasting impact on his local community.

The details

Don Baylor Park, formerly known as Westenfield Park, will feature an interpretive marker honoring Baylor's life and legacy. As a child, Baylor was barred from playing at the park due to segregation, as he lived on the "wrong side" of the railroad tracks. Despite these early experiences of exclusion, Baylor went on to have a storied MLB career, winning an American League MVP award and a World Series championship. Beyond baseball, Baylor was remembered as a man of deep faith, generosity, and humility, who left a lasting impact through his charitable work.

  • The park renaming ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Don Baylor

A former Major League Baseball player who had a 19-year career, winning an American League MVP award and a World Series championship. Baylor was an Austin native who was barred from playing at the park as a child due to segregation, but went on to become a celebrated athlete and community advocate.

Don Baylor Jr.

The son of Don Baylor, who says the park renaming would have meant as much to his father as any of his baseball achievements.

Clarksville

A neighborhood in Austin, Texas where Don Baylor grew up, on the "wrong side" of the railroad tracks and excluded from the park that now bears his name.

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What they’re saying

“Whenever we would either drive down Winsted or drive on Enfield, he would point to that park as a symbol of Jim Crow. He lived on the other side of the railroad tracks, what is now MoPac, and was really not allowed to play here by the local residents. And they essentially got chased away. So, that was something ... [that] always stuck with him.”

— Don Baylor Jr., Son of Don Baylor (KVUE)

“I think it would be a full-circle moment for him. It would probably be one of his biggest achievements. In addition to winning MVP, Manager of the Year, this would be right up there.”

— Don Baylor Jr., Son of Don Baylor (KVUE)

“He was extremely generous, he was extremely respectful, he was a man of faith. He always believed in hard work and treating people how you want to be treated.”

— Don Baylor Jr., Son of Don Baylor (KVUE)

What’s next

The park renaming ceremony on February 27, 2026 will feature the unveiling of an interpretive marker honoring Don Baylor's legacy.

The takeaway

The renaming of Westenfield Park to Don Baylor Park is a powerful symbol of progress and recognition, honoring a local hero who overcame early exclusion to achieve greatness and leave a lasting impact on his community.