Books and articles about Dusty Baker

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Hank Aaron said, "Dusty Baker has more potential than any outfielder I've seen in all my seasons with the Braves." Although only a 27th-round draft choice, Baker seemed ready to realize that potential when he batted .321 (third in the NL) in 1972, his first full season in the ML. But after three straight subpar seasons, he was traded to the Dodgers in November 1975. Another poor season followed, but in 1977 he rebounded (.291, 30 HR, 89 RBI). He set a club record against San Diego with five RBI in one inning, hit .357 with a four-game-record eight RBI in the LCS, and batted .292 in the World Series. His two-run homer off Steve Carlton provided the game-winning RBI in the LCS. In three more LCS, he never hit less than .316. In 1981, the muscular leftfielder again finished third in batting (.320), won a Gold Glove, and made an outstanding catch in the All-Star Game at Cleveland. A prolonged contract dispute sent him to the Giants on April 1, 1984; that year, he hit .292 without the benefit of spring training. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 7, 1967: The last-place Yankees have the first pick in the free-agent draft and use it to take Ron Blomberg. With the next pick, the Cubs tap SS Terry Hughes, who will have just 86 ML at bats. All 20 first-round picks are high school players, and only 11 will eventually reach the major leagues, including John Mayberry (#6, Astros), Jon Matlack (Mets), Wayne Simpson (#8, Reds), Ted Simmons (#10, Cards), and Bobby Grich (#20, Orioles). The O's take Don Baylor with their 2nd pick, then in the secondary phase, select P Mike Adamson. Adamson will leap directly to the O's, debuting July 1, the first player in draft history to bypass the minors. Other selections today include Dusty Baker (26th round, Braves), Matlack (1st round, Mets), Steve Yeager (3rd round, Dodgers) and Richie Zisk (3rd round, Pirates), The Phils strike out as none of their picks will reach the majors. » September 20, 1972: In the nitecap of a doubleheader, the Braves score all their runs in the 2nd inning in routing the Astros 13–6. Dusty Baker has three at bats in the inning, doubling to lead off, hitting a 3-run home run, then grounding out to end the inning with the bases full. » November 17, 1975: The Dodgers trade outfielders Jim Wynn and Tom Paciorek, and infielders Lee Lacy and Jerry Royster to the Braves for OF Dusty Baker and 1B Ed Goodson. » September 13, 1977: The Dodgers Dusty Baker drives in a team-record five runs in one inning, the 2nd, as Los Angeles whips the Padres 18–4. LA leads the West by 13 1/2 games. » October 2, 1977: Dusty Baker homers in his final AB of the season during a 6–3 loss to the Astros. It is Baker's 30th home run of the year, enabling him to join teammates Steve Garvey (33), Reggie Smith (32), and Ron Cey (30) in making the Dodgers the first team ever to boast four 30-HR hitters in one season. When he crosses the plate he is greeted by on-deck batter Glenn Burke, who raises his hands and Baker matches him, allegedly the first high five in history. » October 5, 1977: In game two of the NLCS, Dusty Baker's grand slam, off Jim Lonborg, leads the Dodgers to a 7–1 win over the Phillies as Don Sutton goes the distance for LA. Bake McBride's homer in the 3rd is the only score for Philley. » October 8, 1977: The Dodgers clinch the National League flag with a 4–1 win in front of an LCS-record crowd of 64,924 at Philadelphia. Dusty Baker, the playoff's MVP, hits a 2-run homer and scores twice as Tommy John allows seven hits in nine innings of work. » October 7, 1978: The Dodgers win the NLCS 4–3 as Bill Russell's 10th-inning 2-out single scores Ron Cey. Dusty Baker collects four hits for Los Angeles. A walk to Cey and a routine liner that Garry Maddox muffs in CF sets up Russell's game-winner. » February 9, 1984: The Dodgers waive 2-time National League All-Star Dusty Baker, who had vetoed a trade to Oakland during the winter meetings. » June 27, 1984: In the 3rd inning against the Reds, Giants OF Dusty Baker swipes second, third, and home, garnering three of his four season steals. Baker swipes 2B, and the next batter walks, then gets caught in a rundown. Dusty steals 3B during the rundown and just keeps running. San Francisco wins 14–9, with Chili Davis adding a pinch grand slam in the 5-run 5th. Randy Lerch wins with a 1/3 inning of relief. » December 16, 1992: The Giants name Dusty Baker as manager to replace Roger Craig. » November 6, 1997: Dusty Baker is named National League Manager of the Year. » November 9, 2000: Dusty Baker of the SF Giants is named the NL Manager of the Year for a record 3rd time. » November 6, 2002: The Giants announce that manager Dusty Baker won't be returning with the team. » November 15, 2002: The Cubs name Dusty Baker as their new manager, signing him to a 4-year deal.