Dusty Baker

Johnnie "Dusty" Baker, Jr. (born June 15, 1949 in Riverside, California) is a former outfielder and current manager in Major League Baseball.

Related Topics:
June 15 - 1949 - Riverside, California - Outfielder - Manager - Major League Baseball

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After leading the San Francisco Giants in 2002 to the World Series, where they were defeated by the Anaheim Angels, he guided the Chicago Cubs to the NLCS in 2003. Championship-starved Cubs fans immediately embraced Baker, and the shirts bearing the slogan "IN DUSTY WE TRUSTY" became best-sellers throughout the 2003 season. The Cubs came within 5 outs of reaching the Series before losing to the Florida Marlins in 7 games, following the Steve Bartman incident in Game 6; Baker would have become the first manager to lead different teams to the World Series in consecutive years. Although he faced increasing media and fan criticism during and following the disappointing 2004 and 2005 seasons, as of August 2005, he remains manager of the Cubs.

Related Topics:
San Francisco Giants - 2002 - World Series - Anaheim Angels - Chicago Cubs - NLCS - 2003 - Florida Marlins - Steve Bartman - 2004 - 2005

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Baker also had an illustrious career as an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland A's from 1968 to 1986, winning a World Series as a player with the Dodgers in 1981. Baker was on deck when Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking the record previously held by Babe Ruth.

Related Topics:
Atlanta Braves - Los Angeles Dodgers - San Francisco Giants - Oakland A's - 1968 - 1986 - 1981 - Hank Aaron - Babe Ruth

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