Dusty Baker- Will the Third Time Be the Charm?

His Playing and Managing Career

Dusty Baker was not able to get the Cubs back to the World Series, but came as close as you possibly could to breaking the infamous "Curse of the Goat". As manager of the Giants, Dusty Baker had a world title in his hands until the Angels mounted a comeback and spoiled his plans in 2002. As a player with the Dodgers, Dusty Baker was on the losing side twice in the World Series until he and Los Angeles finally broke through and won it all in 1981. Dusty Baker received this compliment at the beginning of his career from none other than Hank Aaron. "Dusty Baker has more potential than any outfielder I've seen in all my seasons with the Braves." Living up to that potential would be hard.

Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. was born in Riverside, California in 1949. Dusty starred in baseball, football, and track at Del Campo High School in Carmichael, California, and was drafted by the Braves in the 26th round of the 1967 amateur draft. Baker was with the Braves for very small parts of the 1968, '69, '70, and '71 campaigns, but it was not until he was 23 in 1972 that he became a fixture in their outfield. Playing alongside such accomplished hitters as Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, Ralph Garr, and Darrell Evans, Baker had a fine season. He batted .321 with 76 runs batted in, and he learned the nuances and etiquette of the game from Aaron, the all-time home run king. Baker once took a modest hitting streak into a game against the Cardinals' Bob Gibson. Aaron advised him that if he "hit a home run, don't look at him (Gibson). Just run around the bases and into the dugout, or next time up he'll drill you. If he hits you with a pitch, don't charge the mound because he's a Gold Gloves boxer and will beat you". Baker's streak ended that night.