Dusty Baker's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Dusty Baker.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

1989: First Postseason Series Victory since 1989

In 1989, Dusty Baker's Giants secured their first postseason series victory since 1989.

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.

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: 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.

2000: Giants Win Division Title

In 2000, Dusty Baker's Giants won another division title, and Baker again won Manager of the Year honors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2015: Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction

In 2015, Baker was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

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.

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.

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.

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.