Dusty Baker

Guide Note

Dusty Baker is a former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Before being hired by the Reds in late 2007, Baker coached the Chicago Cubs and led the San Francisco Giants to the 2002 National League pennant.

Fast Facts

1. Born: June 15, 1949
2. Birthplace: Riverside, California
3. NL All-Star in 1981 and 1982
4. Won a World Series in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers
5. Was on deck when Hank Aaron hit home run 715 to pass Babe Ruth in career home runs
6. MLB Debut: September 7, 1968
7. Final Game: October 4, 1986
8. Batted: Right
9. Threw: Right
10. Career Stats: AVG .278, 242 HRs, 1,013 RBI

Baker was named manager of the Giants in 1993, winning National League Manager of the Year in his first season. The Giants would make it all the way to the 2002 World Series against the Anaheim Angels, but would lose the series in seven games.

Baker's next stop was in Chicago as manager of the Cubs. The Cubs reached the 2003 National League Championship series, but would lose to the eventual World Series Champion Florida Marlins. Baker would not lead the cubs to another playoff berth and his contract was not renewed after the 2006 season.

After spending time as a baseball studio analyst, Baker was hired by the Reds on October 13, 2007. He is the first African-American manager in the history of the Reds organization.