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Dusty Baker Introduction
Dusty Baker is one of those greatest names in Basketball which didn’t fly away like dust.
They say that sometimes being a good student doesn’t essentially mean that you are a good teacher too. Enter, Dusty Baker. The star baseball player and now the Jose Mourinho (if you know, you know) of baseball.
However, success was not served to him on a plate. He earned it. The 6’1 giant had to trounce a lot of challenges that came his way before he reached his destination. With seldom to no support at all from his kin, Dusty Baker’s only key to triumph was his shining armor of willpower.
Inspired already? Well, there’s a lot more. This is Baker’s journey of hitting life for a homerun!
Dusty Baker Net Worth & Salary
As of 2022, Dusty Baker’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million.
Baker has been the manager of some of the most successful clubs in the game of baseball. He earns a salary of roughly around $4 million and is one of the richest baseball coaches in the world.
His ginormous net worth has allowed him a life of magnificence not many can afford. And being a coach of his mettle, Baker is in no mood of retiring right away.
Dusty Baker Age, Early Life & Biography
Currently, Dusty Baker is 73 years old.
However, settling down is not in his scheme of actions, as of yet.
Dusty Baker was born in Riverside, California based in the US. Based on his mystifying tendency of playing in a particularly dirty spot in their backyard, his mother coined the name “Dusty” for him. Growing up, Baker indulged himself in a variety of sports including baseball. Baker played the Little League with his father being the coach and mentor. His performance earned him some recognition.
After he was enrolled in the Del Campo High School, Baker earned himself a name in a very short period. His accuracy in basketball, precision, understanding in football, and scoring ability in baseball, was quite talked about. Dusty Baker became the new youth icon in his school. His talent shined to an extent that Santa Clara University offered him a scholarship based on his game of basketball.
The fear of failing to provide his son with a quality education had gripped his father so tight that he spread the word among the scouts stating that Baker was not available for a draft pick in baseball and would only participate in basketball.
Despite this, scout Bill Wight, unable to ignore Baker’s irresistible talent, drafted him for the Atlanta Braves in the year 1967. The Braves wanted him so bad that senior player Hank Aaron personally convinced Baker’s mother to let him join the team. He vowed to be Dusty Baker’s guardian and also make sure that he enrolls in his majors before the graduation of his batchmates.
Dusty Baker, the young icon, signed for the Atlanta Braves much to the dismay of his father. Baker’s father was so vexed that he sued the contract under the State of California’s jurisdiction. As a result, a trustee was appointed to manage Baker’s finances. The father-son bonding had a wedge driven through it.
| Name: | Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker Jr. |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 73 |
| Birth Date: | June 15, 1949 |
| Birth Place: | Riverside, California |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.87m |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Melissa Baker |
| Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | Darren Baker and Natosha Baker |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Profession: | Baseball Player, Manager |
| Yearly Income: | $4 million |
| Current Net Worth | $20 million |
| Content Last Updated: | August 2022 |
Dusty Baker Personal Life
As much as he is a brilliant sportsperson, Dusty Baker is a loyal partner too. He married his childhood partner, Melissa, and has two kids with her too.
Baker was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2001’s fag end and had to get surgery done. In 2012, he was hospitalized again with a minor stroke and irregular heartbeat.
He fulfilled his desire to cater to young children involved with sports by joining the National Advisory Board for Positive Coaching Alliance. He participates in various webinars organized by the group to inculcate in them the value of positive character in sports.
Dusty Baker Career
Dusty Baker’s career has two phases to it. The player phase and the manager phase. However, one thing common in both is success.
Baker’s career began as an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves in the Texas League. He played various other leagues but couldn’t establish himself as a regular starter. It was in 1972 that Dusty Baker had a major start to his career. With 127 games and the third-best batting average of .321 in the National League, he secured the 22nd position on the MVP list.
This performance earned him a starting position in the team and for the next few years, Baker’s consistency was noteworthy. Looking forward to exploring other opportunities available, Baker placed a request to be traded off, and thus in 1974, Dusty Baker along with some other players was traded off to Los Angeles Dodgers.
Baker’s start to the season with the Dodgers wasn’t inspiring enough as he just averaged a mere .231 in 119 games and also suffered knee injuries that needed immediate surgery. Little was he aware that he is going to make history. Post recovery, there was no stopping him. Baker averaged at around .293 in 153 games and carried his team to the National League West triumph. When facing the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS, Baker’s valiant efforts and the historic grand slam earned him the first-ever MVP title in NLCS. After a disappointing loss to the New York Yankees in the 1977 World Series, the Dodgers had a rematch with the Phillies. Baker repeated history and won the match averaging a mammoth .467.
After several other noteworthy seasons and performances, Dusty Baker concluded his Dodger career in the year 1983 with innumerable records. Baker still accepts the 9 long years he spent with the Dodgers as the best phase of his career as a player.
Baker joined the San Francisco Giants in the year 1984 playing 100 games for them. Soon after he was traded to Oakland Athletics. He played 195 games for them averaging at .250 and with fourteen home runs under his belt.
In the year 1986, after a career sprawling with over 2000+ games, Dusty Baker, amidst the mourn and tears of his fans, opted for retirement.
Five years after his retirement, Dusty Baker joined the San Francisco Giants as their coach. Soon after the departure of the former manager, he was assigned the managerial position, and thus in 1993, Dusty Baker became the team’s manager. In his very first year, Baker made a record of 103 wins against 59 losses.
The team, under Baker’s management, won the title division in the years 1997 and 2000. However, having a strained relationship with the owner and failure to win the World Series, Baker’s contract was not renewed after 2002 marking an end to his 13 years-long service to the club.
He joined the Chicago Clubs in 2003 and made an impact immediately. However, with no discipline in the team and with a very regular record of 322 wins and 326 losses, Baker announced his departure in 2007 just after 4 years of joining the club.
His next two moves to Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals bore the same results as Dusty Baker was fired from both clubs owing to his inability to carry the team forward to the World Series Championships.
In 2020, Dusty Baker was hired by the Houston Astros. This is where fortunes changed for him. Dusty Baker, for the first time since 2003, took his team to the League Championship Series (ALCS). The Houston Astros went on to win the championship and have now advanced to compete in the World Series.
Dusty Baker Awards & Achievements
When it comes to silverware, Dusty Baker has put up a grand show.
He is the recipient of the NLCS MVP Award in the year 1977.
Baker is a two-time winner of The Silver Slugger Award (National League) in 1980 and 1981.
He is also a one-time Golden Glove Winner in 1981.
He is a record three-time winner of the National League Manager Of The Year Award in 1993, 1997, and 2000.
In 2003, Baker won the Manager Of The Year (T.Y.I.B)
Very recently, in 2021, Dusty Baker won the AL Manager Of The Year Award.
Seems as though his hunger isn’t satisfied yet. What else to expect anyways from a coach and manager of his pedigree?
Dusty Baker Major Investments and Assets
A stalwart of the game, Dusty Baker has amassed quite some assets to ensure safety for his family.
Baker has quite an envious car collection with brands like Porsche making a way into the list. He also has various real estate investments and lives in a luxurious villa. Apart from that, Dusty Baker has also assumed the role of a Special Advisor to the CEO of Giants Organization.
Baker has quite a liking for various types of wines available. Thus, putting his interest into action, Dusty Baker launched his own Baker Family Wines along with his partner in business and winemaker Chik Brenneman.
Dusty Baker Must Watch Latest Video and Trending Photographs
Dusty Baker’s journey cannot be given justice in just words.
To pay their respects to the living legend, MLB Network made a special on Dusty Baker and his career.
Check out the link below!
Dusty Baker Instagram Handle
Mr. Dusty Baker is not available on Instagram.
