Dusty Baker

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Baker was born on June 15, 1949, in Riverside, California, as the oldest of seven children. He earned the nickname "Dusty" from his mother because of his propensity for playing in a dirt spot in the backyard. He grew up as a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and described Tommy Davis as his hero, but the signing of Bobby Bonds in 1968 made him a fan of the San Francisco Giants. Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 1967 amateur draft and made his MLB debut on September 7, 1968. He played for the Braves, Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics during his playing career.

In Their Own Story

In 2022, Baker achieved a historic milestone as the manager of the Houston Astros, winning the World Series. This victory capped a career where he became the first MLB manager to reach the playoffs and win a division title with five different teams: the Giants, Cubs, Reds, Nationals, and Astros. Despite managing the Giants from 1993 to 2002, his 2022 triumph came with Houston, not San Francisco. He ranks seventh in MLB managerial wins and holds the record for the most wins among African-American managers. His managerial path also included stints with the Chicago Cubs (2003–2006), Cincinnati Reds (2008–2013), and Washington Nationals (2016–2017). Following his retirement from managing, he joined the Giants' front office.

Reader's Guide

Baker was named NL Manager of the Year three times with the Giants and won the 2022 World Series with the Astros. He ranks seventh in MLB managerial wins and has the most wins among African-American managers. Following his retirement as a manager, Baker joined the Giants' front office. He was also named the manager of Team Nicaragua for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Did You Know?

• Baker was the first NLCS MVP, receiving the award for his performance during the 1977 National League Championship Series.
• Baker played a part in the first-ever high five, which occurred with Dodgers teammate Glenn Burke on October 2, 1977.
• Baker was on deck when Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run on April 8, 1974.