Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dusty Baker
Discover the career path of Dusty Baker, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Dusty Baker is a retired American professional baseball outfielder and manager. He played 19 seasons in MLB for teams like the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers, he was a two-time All-Star, won two Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove Award, and was the 1977 NLCS MVP. Baker also played in three World Series, winning onechampionship in 1981 with the Dodgers.
1908: First postseason series victory for the team
In 2003, 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.
1967: First Baseball Games in 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. He signed with the team after Hank Aaron's encouragement, leading to conflict with his father.
September 7, 1968: MLB Debut
On September 7, 1968, Dusty Baker made his major league debut as a call-up for the Atlanta Braves against the Houston Astros. He went 0-for-1.
1970: Played for Triple-A Richmond Braves
In 1970, Dusty Baker batted over .300 for the Triple-A Richmond Braves.
1971: Played for Triple-A Richmond Braves
In 1971, Dusty Baker batted over .300 for the Triple-A Richmond Braves.
1972: Made Opening Day Roster
In 1972, Dusty Baker made the roster for Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves, starting his major league career in earnest.
November 17, 1975: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
On November 17, 1975, Dusty Baker was traded along with Ed Goodson to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Lee Lacy, Tom Paciorek, Jerry Royster, and Jimmy Wynn.
1975: Final Season with Dodgers
In 1975, Dusty Baker drew more walks than strikeouts, which was the first time since 1983.
1976: First Season with the Dodgers
In 1976, Dusty Baker began his tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .242 in 112 games.
1979: Baker Batted .274
In 1979, Baker batted .274 before improving in 1980 with heightened contact, as he batted .294 with 170 hits, 29 home runs, and 97 RBIs.
1980: Silver Slugger Award
In 1980, Dusty Baker batted .294, had 170 hits, 29 home runs, and 97 RBIs, leading to a fourth-place finish in MVP voting and winning the Silver Slugger Award.
1981: World Series Championship
In 1981, Dusty Baker was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers team that won the World Series.
1981: All-Star Game and Awards
In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Dusty Baker batted a career-high .320, was named to his first All-Star Game, and won both the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Glove Award.
1983: Final Season with Dodgers
In 1983, Dusty Baker closed out his Dodgers career, batting .260 with 138 hits. He also drew more walks than strikeouts for the first time since 1975.
1984: Signed with San Francisco Giants
In 1984, Dusty Baker signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent after his time with the Dodgers.
March 24, 1985: Traded to 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.
1987: Elected for Free Agency
In 1987, Dusty Baker elected for free agency instead and subsequently retired.
1988: First Base Coach for the Giants
Dusty Baker's coaching career started in 1988 as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants.
1989: Hitting Coach for the Giants
In 1989, Dusty Baker became the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants.
1990: First Reds manager hired
In 2007, Baker was the first Reds manager hired with no prior ties to the organization since 1990.
December 16, 1992: Dusty Baker hired as Giants Manager
On December 16, 1992, Dusty Baker was hired as manager of the San Francisco Giants. He was the seventh black manager hired to manage a Major League Baseball team, beating out four other candidates. That same month, the Giants acquired Barry Bonds.
1992: Managed Scottsdale Scorpions
In 1992, Dusty Baker managed the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.
November 15, 2002: Dusty Baker hired by the Chicago Cubs
On November 15, 2002, Dusty Baker was hired by the Chicago Cubs to a four-year deal to manage the team, replacing Bruce Kimm.
2003: Cubs claim division title
In 2003, Dusty Baker led the Cubs to their first division title in fourteen years and a victory over the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. Baker was also subject of controversy when he stated that "black and Hispanic players are better suited to playing in the sun and heat than white players."
2003: Baker became the fifth Reds manager
In 2003, Jerry Narron was fired and Dusty Baker became the fifth Reds manager since the year of 2003.
2004: Baker wins 1,000th game
In 2004, Dusty Baker won his 1,000th game as manager with a win over the Montreal Expos.
2006: Cubs decline to renew Baker's contract
A month after the 2006 season ended, the Cubs declined to renew Dusty Baker's contract. He announced his departure in a press conference in early October.
2006: Baker serves as an ESPN analyst during the MLB Postseason
In 2006, Dusty Baker worked as an ESPN analyst during the MLB postseason.
October 13, 2007: Dusty Baker hired as Reds manager
On October 13, 2007, Dusty Baker was hired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, replacing interim manager Pete Mackanin. He was the first black manager in Cincinnati Reds history.
2007: Cubs replace Baker with Lou Piniella
In 2007, the Cubs turned to Lou Piniella to replace Dusty Baker as manager.
2008: Reds finished with 74-88
In 2008, Baker and the Reds finished 74–88 and 5th in the NL Central.
2009: Reds finished with 78-84
In 2009, Baker and the Reds finished 78–84 and 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 with the Reds
On October 4, 2010, Dusty Baker signed a two-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds.
October 15, 2012: Baker signed a two-year contract extension
On October 15, 2012, Dusty Baker signed a two-year contract extension as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
October 22, 2013: Bryan Price replaces Dusty Baker as Reds manager
On October 22, 2013, Bryan Price replaced Dusty Baker as the Reds' manager after Baker's firing following a Wild Card game loss.
November 3, 2015: Dusty Baker named Washington Nationals Manager
On November 3, 2015, Dusty Baker became the manager of the Washington Nationals, marking his return to managing since being fired by Cincinnati in 2013.
October 20, 2017: Nationals announce Dusty Baker's departure
On October 20, 2017, the Nationals announced Dusty Baker and his entire coaching staff would not return in 2018 after losing in the NLDS.
2017: Darren Baker Drafted by Nationals
In 2017, Darren Baker was drafted in the 27th round of the MLB draft by the Washington Nationals, the team his father was managing at the time.
2018: Returns to Giants Organization
In 2018, Dusty Baker returned to the Giants organization as a Special Advisor to the CEO, marking a return to a team he previously managed.
January 13, 2020: Houston Astros managerial position opens
On January 13, 2020, the Houston Astros managerial position opened up after A. J. Hinch was fired.
July 28, 2020: Astros pick up Baker's option
On July 28, 2020, the Astros picked up the 2021 option on Dusty Baker's contract, shortly after the season began.
2020: Baker finalist for Phillies managerial role
In 2020, Dusty Baker was a finalist for the Philadelphia Phillies managerial position, but the job went to Joe Girardi.
April 22, 2021: Dusty Baker secures his 1,900th win as manager
On April 22, 2021, Dusty Baker achieved his 1,900th win as a manager, becoming the 14th manager to reach this milestone.
October 22, 2021: Astros clinch AL Pennant
On October 22, 2021, the Astros won Game 6 of the ALCS against the Red Sox, clinching the American League pennant under Dusty Baker's management.
November 5, 2021: Dusty Baker receives one-year extension with Astros
On November 5, 2021, Dusty Baker agreed to a one-year extension with the Astros to manage the club for the 2022 season.
2021: Darren Baker Signs with Nationals
In 2021, Darren Baker was drafted by the Nationals in the tenth round of the amateur draft, and this time he signed to join the organization.
2021: Dusty Baker guides fifth team to division title
In 2021, Dusty Baker became the first manager in the major leagues to lead five different clubs to division titles, managing the Astros.
May 3, 2022: Dusty Baker earns 2,000th win as manager
On May 3, 2022, Dusty Baker achieved his 2,000th win as a manager with the Astros, becoming the 12th manager and first African American manager to reach the milestone.
November 3, 2022: Dusty Baker wins 50th postseason game as manager
On November 3, 2022, Dusty Baker secured his 50th postseason game win as manager, becoming the fourth in MLB history to reach the milestone.
November 5, 2022: Dusty Baker wins first World Series as manager
On November 5, 2022, Dusty Baker led the Houston Astros to victory in Game 6 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, securing his first World Series title as a manager.
2022: World Series Win as Manager
In 2022, Dusty Baker won the World Series as the manager of the Houston Astros, becoming the oldest manager to win a championship in a major North American sport.
2022: Astros sweep the LDS and LCS
In the 2022 postseason, the Astros, managed by Dusty Baker, completed a sweep of both the American League Division Series (ALDS) and the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
June 1, 2023: Dusty Baker passes Joe McCarthy in all-time wins
On June 1, 2023, Dusty Baker passed Joe McCarthy for eighth all-time in managerial wins with a victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
October 25, 2023: Dusty Baker announces retirement
On October 25, 2023, Dusty Baker announced his retirement from managing, two days after the Astros lost to the Rangers in Game 7 of the ALCS.
January 18, 2024: Dusty Baker returns to Giants as Special Advisor
On January 18, 2024, Dusty Baker agreed to a third stint with the Giants, this time as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations.
