Dusty's Story
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker
Founder
What you are about to read is the chronicle of an amazing career. But keep in mind that Dusty has never forgotten the importance of balancing a competitive athletic career with basic values of respect, sportsmanship, scholarship and humanity. This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson hangs in Dusty's office:
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
As a player Dusty Baker spent 16 prestigious seasons with Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland. Dusty went to three World Series with the Dodgers and beat the New York Yankees in 1981 to win the World Championship. He was named to the All-Time Los Angeles Dodger team and as a Manager named to the All-Time San Francisco Giants Team.
This year Dusty completed his sixteenth season as a Major League Baseball manager with a winning record of 1,314-1,213 and a .520 winning percentage. As Manager of the Cincinnati Reds, he's now 26th of 100 of the MLB list of all-time Managers with the most wins.
Since 1930 only three other managers have more wins in a Chicago uniform. Dusty started his managerial career in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants and set the San Francisco franchise record for most wins. In the Giants franchise history dating back to 1883 Dusty Baker is second only to John McGraw in managerial wins!
Dusty was honored as National League "Manager of the Year" three times, in 1993, 1997 and 2000.
Dusty's hobbies include hunting and fishing. He speaks Spanish fluently. He was an active member of the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1969 through 1975. He has co-authored "You Can Teach Hitting" and has produced numerous videos on hitting.
Born:
June 15th 1949, Riverside, California
High School:
Del Campo HIgh School, where he played four sports. Dusty still encourages young athletes to participate in more than one sport.
Drafted:
1967, Atlanta Braves, 26th Round
Played 16 Major League seasons for:
Atlanta Braves 1968 to 1975
Los Angeles Dodgers 1976 to 1983
San Francisco Giants 1984
Oakland A’s 1985 to 1986
San Francisco Giants Hitting Coach 1989-1992
Teams Managed:
San Francisco Giants 1993 to 2002
Chicago Cubs 2003 to 2006
Cincinnati Reds 2008 to Present
(The teams he has managed have finished 1st or 2nd nine times)
Career Statistics:
Batting Average .278
Home Runs 242
Runs Batted In 1,013
5 times 90+ wins
4 times 86+wins
3 Division Championships
1 Wild Card
2002 National League Pennant
Career Highlights and Awards:
• Two-Time All-Star 1981 and 1982
• World Series Champion 1981
• Gold Glove Award 1981
• Two-Time Silver Slugger Award 1980 and 1981
• NLCS Most Valuable Player 1977
• Three-Time National League Manager of the Year (1993, 1997, 2000)
• 1996-Managed MLB All-stars in Japan
• National League All-Star Team Manager 2003
• National League All-Star Team Coach 1994,1997,2001
• Sporting News Manager of the Year 1997,2000
• Associated Press Manager of the Year 1993
• 1997-Inducted to California Black Sports Hall of Fame
• Second All-Time with Walk Off Hits
• Elected to Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame 1981
• Voted by fans to the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Time Team
• Voted by fans to the All-Time Giants Team as manager
• Played in three World Series and managed in one
• More wins as manager in the history of the SF Giants
Interesting facts through the years:
1974 – Dusty was on deck when Hank Aaron hit historic 715
1977 – One of four players on the same team to hit 30 home runs (Los Angeles Dodgers)
1977 – Glen Burke and Dusty Baker recognized with the first "High Five" in baseball (Los Angeles Dodgers)
1984 – Stole 3 bases in 3rd inning vs the Cincinnati Reds for the SF Giants (and is now the Reds' manager!)
1993 – Dusty became the first manager in the National League and only the 5th in Major Leagues to win 100 games in his rookie season
• Dusty has managed or played with 4 of the top 6 all time Home Run leaders in Major League Baseball (Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr. and Hank Aaron)
