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
	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 event	256.5-266.5 (0.490)
Past 1-12 months	45-30 (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 months	45-53 (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 months	57.5-69.5 (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 months	59-58 (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 months	50-56 (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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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		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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