Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dusty Baker

Discover the career path of Dusty Baker, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. is a former MLB outfielder and manager. As a player for 19 seasons, he is most recognized for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baker was a two-time All-Star, won two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove Award, and was the 1977 NLCS MVP. He appeared in three World Series and won the 1981 World Series. He also played for the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1908: First postseason series victory for the team since the 1908 World Series

In 2003, 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.

1967: Began Playing Baseball in Texas League

In 1967, Dusty Baker began his baseball career in the Texas League in Austin, playing nine games in the AA classification.

1967: Drafted by Atlanta Braves

In 1967, Dusty Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the amateur draft. Hank Aaron influenced Baker to sign, promising to take care of him.

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.

1970: Triple-A Richmond Braves

In 1970, Dusty Baker batted over .300 for the Triple-A Richmond Braves.

1970: First manager since Sparky Anderson to win 100 games as rookie manager

In 1970, Dusty Baker was the first manager since Sparky Anderson to win 100 games as a rookie manager.

1971: Triple-A Richmond Braves

In 1971, Dusty Baker batted over .300 for the Triple-A Richmond Braves.

1972: Made Roster for Opening Day

In 1972, Dusty Baker made the roster for Opening Day, marking a true start to his major league career, batting .321 with 143 hits, seventeen home runs and 76 runs batted in. He finished 22nd for the MVP vote.

April 8, 1974: Hank Aaron's 715th Home Run

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.

November 17, 1975: Traded to Los Angeles Dodgers

On November 17, 1975, Dusty Baker was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1975: Traded to the Dodgers

In 1975, Dusty Baker was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Atlanta Braves.

1976: First Season with the Dodgers

In 1976, Dusty Baker had a meager .242 batting average in 112 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers, requiring knee surgery after the season.

1977: First Postseason Appearance

In 1977, Dusty Baker made his first postseason appearance as the Dodgers won the National League West. He played a key role in the NLCS, hitting a grand slam in Game 2 and a two-run home run in Game 4, earning him the NLCS MVP award. In the 1977 World Series, he hit one home run but the Dodgers lost in six games.

1977: NLCS MVP

In 1977, Dusty Baker was named the NLCS MVP during the National League Championship Series, while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1978: Second Straight Pennant

In the 1978 season, Dusty Baker batted .262. The Dodgers won the pennant again, but they lost to the Yankees in the 1978 World Series, with Baker hitting one home run.

1979: Improved Batting Average

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, finishing fourth in MVP voting and winning the Silver Slugger Award.

1981: World Series Win and All-Star Selection

In 1981, Dusty Baker batted a career-high .320 and was named to his first All-Star Game. He was also awarded the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Glove Award. Although he batted just .167 in the World Series, the Dodgers won in six games.

1981: World Series Championship

In 1981, Dusty Baker was a member of the World Series championship team with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1983: Final Season with the Dodgers

In 1983, Dusty Baker closed out his Dodgers career batting .260. In the NLCS, he batted .357 while hitting a home run, but the Dodgers lost in four games.

1984: Signed with the Giants

In 1984, Dusty Baker signed with the San Francisco Giants and played 100 games, batting .292 with 71 hits and three home runs.

March 24, 1985: Traded to the Athletics

On March 24, 1985, Dusty Baker was traded to the Oakland Athletics.

October 4, 1986: Final Game

On October 4, 1986, Dusty Baker appeared in his final game against the Kansas City Royals.

April 6, 1987: Campanis' remarks and Baker's recruitment

On April 6, 1987, after controversial remarks by Dodgers general manager Al Campanis, Dusty Baker was called by Hank Aaron, Joe Morgan, and Frank Robinson to go to Dallas, Texas, to find jobs for minority baseball players after their careers ended.

1987: Free Agency and Retirement

In 1987, Dusty Baker elected for free agency instead of being sent down to Triple-A, and subsequently retired.

1988: Baker started coaching career with the Giants

In 1988, Baker's coaching career started as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants.

1989: Baker as Giants' hitting coach

In 1989, Dusty Baker spent the year as the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants.

1989: First postseason series victory since 1989

In 2002, Dusty Baker delivered the Giants' first postseason series victory since 1989.

1990: First Reds manager hired with no prior ties to the organization since 1990

In 2007, Dusty Baker became 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 to manage a Major League Baseball team.

1992: Cito Gaston manages the Toronto Blue Jays to championships in 1992

In 1992, Cito Gaston managed the Toronto Blue Jays to championships.

1992: Baker managed the Scottsdale Scorpions

In 1992, Dusty Baker managed the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.

1993: Cito Gaston manages the Toronto Blue Jays to championships in 1993

In 1993, Cito Gaston managed the Toronto Blue Jays to championships.

1993: Manager of the Giants

In 1993, Dusty Baker became the manager of the San Francisco Giants.

1995: Playoff qualification changes

Before 1995, only division winners qualified for playoffs. Since the Giants missed the playoffs, Dusty Baker also became the eight and so far the last manager to lead a team to 100 wins without making it to the postseason.

1997: Giants win division title, Baker wins Manager of the Year

In 1997, Dusty Baker's Giants won the division title. Baker also won Manager of the Year honors.

1998: Giants lose tie-breaker game for Wild Card spot

In 1998, Dusty Baker's Giants lost a tie-breaker game for the Wild Card spot.

2000: Giants win division title, Baker wins Manager of the Year again

In 2000, Dusty Baker's Giants won the division title, and Baker won Manager of the Year honors for the second time.

November 15, 2002: 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.

2002: Giants win Wild Card, advance to World Series

In 2002, Dusty Baker's Giants won 95 games and clinched the Wild Card. They won the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves and the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, advancing to the World Series against the Anaheim Angels.

2002: End of Giants Management

In 2002, Dusty Baker's tenure as the manager of the San Francisco Giants concluded.

2002: Baker pitches 209 innings with Kerry Wood

In 2002, Kerry Wood pitched 209 innings.

2003: Manager of the Cubs

In 2003, Dusty Baker became the manager of the Chicago Cubs.

2003: Cubs claim division title, controversy over Baker's comments

In 2003, Dusty Baker led the Cubs to their first division title in fourteen years, and they won the National League Division Series. Baker was also the subject of controversy for stating that "black and Hispanic players are better suited to playing in the sun and heat than white players."

2003: Baker used Wood for a full season under tenure

In 2003, Wood was used for a full season under Baker's tenure, in which he pitched 211 innings, which was two innings more than he had pitched in 2002.

2003: Fifth Reds manager since 2003

In 2007, Dusty Baker became the fifth Reds manager since the year of 2003.

2004: Cubs miss playoffs, Baker wins 1,000th game

In 2004, the Cubs missed the playoffs, and on August 30, Dusty Baker won his 1,000th game as a manager with a win over the Montreal Expos.

2005: Cubs finish with a losing record

In 2005, Dusty Baker's Cubs team finished the season with a 79–83 record, marking the first time in three years that the Cubs finished with a losing record.

2006: Dusty Baker serves as an ESPN analyst

In 2006, Dusty Baker worked as an analyst for ESPN during the MLB postseason.

2006: End of Cubs Management

In 2006, Dusty Baker's tenure as the manager of the Chicago Cubs concluded.

2006: Cubs decline in productivity

In 2006, the Cubs continued to decline as they fell to 66–96 and finished last in the entire National League.

2006: Cubs decline to renew Baker's contract

In 2006, the Cubs declined to renew Dusty Baker's contract, and he announced his departure in early October.

October 13, 2007: Baker hired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds

On October 13, 2007, Dusty Baker was hired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the first black manager in Reds history.

2007: Dusty Baker serves as an ESPN analyst

In 2007, Dusty Baker continued to work as an analyst for ESPN during the baseball season.

2007: Lou Piniella replaces Baker

In 2007, Lou Piniella replaced Dusty Baker as manager of the Cubs.

2008: Reds finish 74-88

In 2008, Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds finished 74-88, finishing 5th in the NL Central.

2008: Manager of the Reds

In 2008, Dusty Baker became the manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

2009: Reds finish 78-84

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 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.

2010: Bruce Bochy manages Giants to World Series titles in 2010

In 2010, Bruce Bochy managed the Giants to World Series titles.

September 2012: Baker's Hospitalization

In September 2012, Dusty Baker was hospitalized in Chicago for treatment of an irregular heartbeat, a longstanding heart problem. During his absence, the Reds clinched the 2012 Central Division championship.

October 15, 2012: Baker Signs Contract Extension

On October 15, 2012, Dusty Baker signed a two-year contract extension as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

2012: Bruce Bochy manages Giants to World Series titles in 2012

In 2012, Bruce Bochy managed the Giants to World Series titles.

October 22, 2013: Baker Replaced as Reds Manager

On October 22, 2013, Bryan Price replaced Dusty Baker as the Cincinnati Reds manager after Baker was fired three days after the Wild Card game loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

2013: End of Reds Management

In 2013, Dusty Baker's tenure as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds concluded.

2014: Bruce Bochy manages Giants to World Series titles in 2014

In 2014, Bruce Bochy managed the Giants to World Series titles.

November 3, 2015: Baker 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: Dusty Baker joins TBS as studio analyst

In 2015, Dusty Baker joined TBS as a studio analyst for the final two weeks of the regular season coverage and for the National League playoffs coverage.

2016: Manager of the Nationals

In 2016, Dusty Baker became the manager of the Washington Nationals.

October 20, 2017: Nationals Part Ways with Baker

On October 20, 2017, the Washington Nationals announced that Dusty Baker and his entire coaching staff would not return as the team's manager in 2018.

2017: End of Nationals Management

In 2017, Dusty Baker's tenure as the manager of the Washington Nationals concluded.

2018: Dusty Baker returns to the Giants organization

In 2018, Dusty Baker returned to the Giants organization as a Special Advisor to the CEO.

January 13, 2020: Astros Manager Job Opens

On January 13, 2020, the manager's job for the Houston Astros became available after A. J. Hinch was fired due to the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.

July 28, 2020: Astros Pick Up Baker's Option

On July 28, 2020, four days after the start of the shortened season, the Houston Astros exercised the 2021 option on Dusty Baker's contract.

2020: Dave Roberts wins championships with Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020

In 2020, Dave Roberts won championships with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2020: Manager of the Astros

In 2020, Dusty Baker became the manager of the Houston Astros.

2020: Baker a Finalist for Phillies Job

In 2020, Dusty Baker was one of three finalists for the Philadelphia Phillies managerial position, but Joe Girardi was ultimately chosen for the job.

April 22, 2021: Baker Secures 1,900th Win

On April 22, 2021, Dusty Baker achieved his 1,900th win as a manager in the regular season with an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, becoming the 14th manager to reach this milestone.

October 22, 2021: Astros Clinch AL Pennant

On October 22, 2021, the Houston Astros won Game 6 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Boston Red Sox, clinching the AL pennant and a spot in the World Series. This marked Dusty Baker's ninth manager in major league history to win a pennant in both leagues.

November 5, 2021: Baker Agrees to Contract Extension

On November 5, 2021, Jim Crane, the owner of the Houston Astros, announced that Dusty Baker had agreed to a one-year extension to continue managing the club for the 2022 season.

May 3, 2022: Baker Earns 2,000th Win

On May 3, 2022, Dusty Baker achieved his 2,000th win as a manager with a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park, becoming the twelfth manager and first African American manager to reach this milestone. Gerónimo Peña and his son Jeremy were involved in the lineup in Baker's first and 2,000th wins respectively.

November 3, 2022: Baker Wins 50th Postseason Game

On November 3, 2022, Dusty Baker secured his 50th postseason win as a manager, becoming only the fourth manager in MLB history to achieve this milestone.

November 5, 2022: Baker Wins First World Series as Manager

On November 5, 2022, Dusty Baker led the Houston Astros to victory in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, securing his first World Series title as a manager. At 73, he became the oldest manager to win the World Series and is the third African-American manager to win a World Series.

2022: World Series Win

In 2022, Dusty Baker won the World Series as manager with the Houston Astros.

2022: Astros Dominate Postseason

In the 2022 postseason, Dusty Baker led the Houston Astros to a dominant run, sweeping both the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series (ALDS) and the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). This guaranteed the Astros their sixth straight appearance in the ALCS. It was Baker's first-ever LDS sweep as manager.

June 1, 2023: Dusty Baker passes Joe McCarthy in all-time wins

On June 1, 2023, Dusty Baker surpassed Joe McCarthy for eighth place in all-time managerial wins, achieving his 2,116th victory with a 5–2 win against the Los Angeles Angels.

October 25, 2023: Dusty Baker announces retirement

On October 25, 2023, Dusty Baker announced his retirement from managing, which came two days after the Houston Astros lost Game 7 of the ALCS to the Texas Rangers.

2023: End of Astros Management

In 2023, Dusty Baker's tenure as the manager of the Houston Astros concluded, marking his retirement as a manager. Following his retirement as a manager, Baker joined the Giants' front office.