History of Dusty Baker in Timeline
Dusty Baker Jr. is a former MLB outfielder and manager. He played for 19 seasons, prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning two All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger Awards, and a Gold Glove Award. He was the inaugural NLCS MVP in 1977 and contributed to the Dodgers' 1981 World Series victory. Baker also played for the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics.
1 hour ago : Dusty Baker's 'Crossroads' event arrives in Santa Cruz, marking a significant moment.
Dusty Baker's 'Crossroads' event is happening in Santa Cruz. The event seems important, possibly related to his career or life story, drawing attention to Baker's journey.
1908: First postseason series victory for the team since the 1908 World Series
In 1908, Dusty Baker led the Cubs to victory over the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series, the first postseason series victory for the team since the 1908 World Series.
June 15, 1949: Dusty Baker's Birth
On June 15, 1949, Johnnie B "Dusty" Baker Jr. was born in Riverside, California. He was the oldest of seven children and earned the nickname "Dusty" from his mother.
1963: Family moved to Carmichael, California
In 1963, when Dusty Baker was 14 years old, the Baker family moved to Carmichael, California, where his father worked at McClellan Air Force Base.
1967: First Baseball Games in the Texas League
In 1967, Dusty Baker played his first baseball games in the Texas League in Austin in the AA classification, playing nine games.
1967: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves
In 1967, Dusty Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the amateur draft, and he signed with the team after Hank Aaron influenced his decision.
September 7, 1968: MLB Debut
On September 7, 1968, Dusty Baker made his major league debut as a call-up against the Houston Astros, going 0-for-1.
1968: Became a fan of the San Francisco Giants
In 1968, the signing of Bobby Bonds made Dusty Baker a fan of the San Francisco Giants.
1970: First Rookie Manager to Win 100 Games
In 1970, Dusty Baker became the first manager since Sparky Anderson to win 100 games as a rookie manager, and the fourth to ever do so.
1970: Played for the Richmond Braves
In 1970, Dusty Baker played for the Triple-A Richmond Braves and batted over .300.
1971: Played for the Richmond Braves
In 1971, Dusty Baker played for the Triple-A Richmond Braves and batted over .300.
1972: Made Opening Day Roster
In 1972, Dusty Baker made the roster for Opening Day, marking a true start to his major league career. He played in 127 games and batted .321.
April 8, 1974: Played behind Hank Aaron when he broke the record
On April 8, 1974, Dusty Baker batted fifth in the lineup behind Hank Aaron when Aaron hit his 715th home run to pass Babe Ruth in career home runs.
November 17, 1975: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
On November 17, 1975, Dusty Baker was traded along with Ed Goodson from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jerry Royster, Tom Paciorek, Lee Lacy and Jimmy Wynn.
1975: First season since 1975 where he drew more walks than strikeouts
Dusty Baker's 1983 season was the first time since 1975 where he drew more walks than strikeouts.
1976: First Season with the Dodgers
In 1976, Dusty Baker's first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him bat .242 in 112 games and require knee surgery after the season.
October 2, 1977: First High Five
On October 2, 1977, Dusty Baker and Dodgers teammate Glenn Burke may have performed the first-ever high five at Dodger Stadium.
1977: Key role in the NLCS
In 1977, Dusty Baker played a key role in the NLCS, hitting a grand slam in Game 2 and a two-run home run in Game 4, helping the Dodgers win the National League pennant and earning him the NLCS MVP award.
1977: NLCS MVP
In 1977, Dusty Baker received the first-ever NLCS MVP for his performance during the National League Championship Series. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.
1978: NLCS Win
In 1978, Dusty Baker and the Dodgers won the NLCS again, with Baker batting .467. However, they lost the World Series to the Yankees.
1979: Batted .274
In 1979, Dusty Baker batted .274 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1980: Silver Slugger Award
In 1980, Dusty Baker batted .294 with 170 hits, 29 home runs, and 97 RBIs for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also finished fourth in MVP voting while winning the Silver Slugger Award.
1981: All-Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and World Series Title
In 1981, Dusty Baker had a career-high batting average of .320 and was named to his first All-Star Game. He was awarded the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Glove Award. The Dodgers won the World Series.
1981: World Series championship
In 1981, Dusty Baker was a member of the World Series championship team. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.
1981: Reds Mimic 1981 NLDS Loss
In the 2012 National League Division Series, the Cincinnati Reds became the second team in NLDS history since 1981 to lose a series after leading 2-0.
1983: Final Season with the Dodgers
In 1983, Dusty Baker closed out his Dodgers career by batting .260 with 138 hits. This season marked the first time since 1975 where he had more walks than strikeouts.
1984: Signed with the San Francisco Giants
In 1984, Dusty Baker signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent. He played 100 games and batted .292.
March 24, 1985: Traded to the Oakland Athletics
On March 24, 1985, Dusty Baker was traded to the Oakland Athletics for two minor league players.
October 4, 1986: Final Game
On October 4, 1986, Dusty Baker appeared in his final game against the Kansas City Royals. He went 0-for-1 with two walks.
1986: Began wearing a wristband
In his final season of 1986, Dusty Baker began wearing a wristband featuring his face, which he has continued to do as a manager.
April 6, 1987: Dodgers GM Al Campanis' controversial remarks
On April 6, 1987, in the wake of controversial remarks by Dodgers general manager Al Campanis, Dusty Baker received a call from Hank Aaron, Joe Morgan, and Frank Robinson to go to Dallas, Texas to try to get jobs for minority baseball players after they finished their playing careers.
1987: Retired from Baseball
In 1987, Dusty Baker elected for free agency and subsequently retired after the Athletics offered to send him down to Triple-A for the season.
1988: Joins Giants as First Base Coach
In 1988, Dusty Baker's coaching career began as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants.
1989: Becomes Giants Hitting Coach
In 1989, Dusty Baker transitioned to the role of hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants, a position he held for four years.
1989: First Postseason Series Victory since 1989
In 1989, Dusty Baker's Giants secured their first postseason series victory since 1989.
1990: Reds manager hired with no prior ties to the organization
In 1990, Dusty Baker was being the first Reds manager hired with no prior ties to the organization since 1990.
December 16, 1992: Baker Hired as Giants Manager
On December 16, 1992, Dusty Baker was hired to manage the San Francisco Giants, becoming the seventh black manager in Major League Baseball.
1992: Cito Gaston Wins Championship
In 1992, Cito Gaston was the first African American to manage a World Series team, managing the Toronto Blue Jays to championships.
1992: Managed the Scottsdale Scorpions
In 1992, Dusty Baker managed the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.
1992: Pirates First Postseason Appearance Since 1992
In 2013, The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first postseason appearance since 1992 and defeated Dusty Baker's Reds in the Wild Card Game.
1992: Third African-American Manager to Win World Series
In 2022, Dusty Baker became the third African-American manager to win a World Series, following Cito Gaston in 1992 and 1993.
April 6, 1993: Connection to First Win
Dusty Baker's 2,000th win on May 3, 2022, involved Jeremy Peña, whose father Gerónimo Peña batted leadoff for the St. Louis Cardinals when Baker earned his first win on April 6, 1993.
1993: Cito Gaston Wins Championship Again
In 1993, Cito Gaston managed the Toronto Blue Jays to another championship, marking him as the first African American to manage a World Series team.
1993: Third African-American Manager to Win World Series
In 2022, Dusty Baker became the third African-American manager to win a World Series, following Cito Gaston in 1992 and 1993.
1995: Missed playoffs
In 1995, Dusty Baker became the eighth and last manager to lead a team to 100 wins without making it to the postseason.
1995: Fourth Team in Wild Card Era to Lose Fewer Than Three Times in Playoffs
In 2022, Dusty Baker's Houston Astros became the fourth team in the Wild Card era, since 1995, to lose fewer than three times in the playoffs.
1995: Third Team to Sweep LDS and LCS Since 1995
In 2022, the Houston Astros became the third team to sweep the LDS and LCS since 1995.
1997: Giants Win Division Title
In 1997, Dusty Baker's Giants won a division title, and Baker received Manager of the Year honors.
1998: Lost Tie-Breaker
In 1998, Dusty Baker and the Giants lost a tie-breaker game for the Wild Card spot.
2000: Giants Win Division Title
In 2000, Dusty Baker's Giants won another division title, and Baker again won Manager of the Year honors.
November 15, 2002: Hired by Chicago Cubs
On November 15, 2002, Dusty Baker was hired by the Chicago Cubs to a four-year deal, replacing Bruce Kimm.
2002: Giants Clinch Wild Card and Win Pennant
In 2002, Dusty Baker's Giants clinched the Wild Card, defeated the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS for their first postseason series victory since 1989, and won the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, securing their first pennant in thirteen years. They advanced to the World Series against the Anaheim Angels.
2002: Two innings less than he had pitched in 2002
In 2002, Kerry Wood pitched two innings less than in 2003.
2003: Controversial Statement and Division Title
In 2003, Dusty Baker made a controversial statement about race and sports, but he also led the Cubs to their first division title in fourteen years and their first postseason series victory since 1908. The Cubs then faced the Florida Marlins in the National League Championship Series.
2003: Wood and Prior overuse
In 2003, Kerry Wood pitched 211 innings in total.
2003: Reds manager fired after another losing season
In 2003, the Reds hired Baker on the heels of having fired Jerry Narron after another losing season.
2003: First League Championship Series Since 2003
In 2020, the Astros appearance in the League Championship Series marked the first time since 2003 that a Dusty Baker-led team had reached that stage.
2004: Wild Card Chase and 1000th Win
In 2004, Dusty Baker's Cubs were involved in a heated wild card chase but ultimately missed the playoffs. On August 30, 2004, Baker won his 1,000th game as a manager.
2005: Cubs Finish with Losing Record
In 2005, Dusty Baker's Cubs finished with a 79–83 record, marking their first losing season in three years, largely due to injuries to key players.
2006: Cubs Decline to Renew Baker's Contract
After the 2006 season ended, the Chicago Cubs declined to renew Dusty Baker's contract.
2006: ESPN Analyst
In 2006, Baker served as an ESPN analyst during the MLB postseason.
2006: Cubs Decline and Baker Scrutinized
In 2006, the Cubs' performance declined further under Dusty Baker, leading to increased scrutiny over his management style and traditionalist approach to baseball.
October 13, 2007: Hired as Manager of Cincinnati Reds
On October 13, 2007, Dusty Baker was hired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first black manager in the team's history.
2007: Lou Piniella to replace Baker
In 2007, the Cubs turned to Lou Piniella to replace Dusty Baker for the 2007 season.
2008: Reds finished 5th in the NL Central
In 2008, Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds finished 74–88, finishing 5th in the NL Central.
2009: Reds finished 4th in the NL Central
In 2009, Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds finished 78–84, finishing 4th in the NL Central.
September 28, 2010: Reds Win Central Title
On September 28, 2010, Dusty Baker's Cincinnati Reds won the Central title, leading to their first playoff appearance in 15 years.
October 4, 2010: Baker Signs Contract Extension
On October 4, 2010, Dusty Baker signed a two-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds.
2010: Bruce Bochy eclipses Baker
In 2010, Bruce Bochy eclipsed Dusty Baker as the all-time winningest manager in the San Francisco era of Giants history. Bochy also managing the Giants to World Series titles.
2010: Inducted into Sac-Joaquin Section's Hall of Fame
In 2010, Dusty Baker was inducted into the Sac-Joaquin Section's Hall of Fame for his baseball, basketball, football, and track achievements at Del Campo High School in Carmichael, California.
September 2012: Hospitalized for Irregular Heartbeat
In September 2012, Dusty Baker was hospitalized in Chicago for treatment of an irregular heartbeat, stemming from a longstanding heart problem. The Reds clinched the 2012 Central Division championship in his absence.
October 15, 2012: Signed Contract Extension with Reds
On October 15, 2012, Dusty Baker signed a two-year contract extension as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
2012: Bruce Bochy manages the Giants to the World Series title
In 2012, Bruce Bochy managing the Giants to World Series titles.
October 22, 2013: Fired by the Reds
On October 22, 2013, Dusty Baker was fired by the Cincinnati Reds, three days after losing the Wild Card game to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bryan Price replaced him as the Reds pitching coach.
2013: Departure from Cincinnati
Dusty Baker's tenure with the Cincinnati Reds ended in 2013, leading to his new role as manager for the Washington Nationals in 2016.
2014: Bruce Bochy manages the Giants to the World Series title
In 2014, Bruce Bochy managing the Giants to World Series titles.
2014: ESPN 30 for 30 documentary The High Five released
In 2014, the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "The High Five", directed by Michael Jacobs, featured the story of the first high five, which may have occurred between Dusty Baker and Dodgers teammate Glenn Burke on October 2, 1977.
November 3, 2015: Named Nationals Manager
On November 3, 2015, Dusty Baker was named the new manager for the Washington Nationals for the 2016 season, marking his return to managing after being fired by Cincinnati in 2013.
2015: TBS Studio Analyst
In 2015, Baker joined TBS as a studio analyst for the final two weeks of the regular season coverage and for their coverage of the National League playoffs.
2015: Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction
In 2015, Baker was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
2016: First Season as Nationals Manager
In 2016, Dusty Baker managed his first season with the Washington Nationals, after being named as their manager on November 3, 2015.
October 20, 2017: Departure from Nationals
On October 20, 2017, the Washington Nationals announced that Dusty Baker and his coaching staff would not return for the 2018 season.
2018: Baker's Departure from Nationals
In 2018, Dusty Baker did not return as the manager for the Washington Nationals, following the announcement on October 20, 2017.
January 13, 2020: Astros Manager Job Opening
On January 13, 2020, the manager's job for the Houston Astros became available after A.J. Hinch was fired in the wake of the Astros sign stealing scandal.
July 28, 2020: Astros Pick up Baker's Option
On July 28, 2020, four days after the shortened season started, the Houston Astros picked up the 2021 option on Dusty Baker's contract.
2020: Dave Roberts wins World Series
In 2020, Dave Roberts joined Cito Gaston and Dusty Baker by managing the Los Angeles Dodgers to the World Series and winning championships.
2020: Finalist for Phillies Job
In 2020, Dusty Baker was one of the finalists for the Philadelphia Phillies managerial position but the job went to Joe Girardi.
2020: Third African-American Manager to Win World Series
In 2022, Dusty Baker became the third African-American manager to win a World Series, following Dave Roberts in 2020.
April 22, 2021: Secures 1,900th Win
On April 22, 2021, Dusty Baker achieved his 1,900th win as a manager in the regular season, becoming the 14th manager to reach this milestone, with an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
November 5, 2021: Baker Agrees to Manage Astros for 2022
On November 5, 2021, Jim Crane announced that Dusty Baker had agreed to a one-year extension to manage the Houston Astros for the 2022 season.
2021: Only Giant to win Manager of the Year award
In 2021, Dusty Baker remained the only Giant to win the Manager of the Year award.
2021: Astros Option Pick Up
In 2021, Dusty Baker's contract option with the Houston Astros, picked up on July 28, 2020, was in effect.
May 3, 2022: Earns 2,000th Win as Manager
On May 3, 2022, Dusty Baker achieved his 2,000th win as manager with a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners at home in Minute Maid Park, becoming the twelfth manager and first African American manager to reach the milestone.
2022: World Series win with Astros
In 2022, Dusty Baker won the World Series as the manager of the Houston Astros.
2022: Postseason Run with the Astros
In the 2022 postseason, Dusty Baker led the Houston Astros to victories in the ALDS and ALCS, marking his sixth postseason series victory with Houston and securing the Astros' fourth pennant in the last six seasons.
June 1, 2023: Passed Joe McCarthy for Eighth All-Time in Wins
On June 1, 2023, Dusty Baker surpassed Joe McCarthy for eighth all-time in wins with a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
January 18, 2024: Giants Special Advisor Role
On January 18, 2024, Baker agreed to a third stint with the Giants in the front office, this time as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations.
2024: Darren Baker's MLB Debut
In 2024, Darren Baker, Dusty Baker's son, made his MLB debut for the Washington Nationals.
July 2025: Named Manager of Nicaragua National Baseball Team
In July 2025, Dusty Baker was announced as the manager of the Nicaragua national baseball team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
2025: Last Reds Manager with a Winning Record as of 2025
In 2013, Dusty Baker finished his tenure with the Reds as the first full-time manager since Jack McKeon to have a winning record and remains the last Reds manager with a winning record as of 2025.
2026: World Baseball Classic
At the 2026 WBC, Nicaragua, managed by Baker, went winless and was forced to requalify. They nearly upset the Netherlands but lost on a walk-off homer. Baker defended his strategy during the game.
2026: Named manager of Team Nicaragua
In 2026, Dusty Baker was named the manager of Team Nicaragua for the World Baseball Classic.
2026: Manage Nicaragua in 2026 World Baseball Classic
In July 2025, Dusty Baker accepted the job as manager for the Nicaragua national baseball team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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