Dusty Baker Biography: Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker Jr. was born on June 15, 1949, and grew up in Riverside, California, as the eldest of five siblings. His mother gave him the nickname “Dusty” due to his habit of playing in a dirt area in their backyard. His father worked as an Air Force sheet metal technician at Norton Air Force Base. Baker showed talent in multiple sports, with basketball being his first love. He played baseball under his father’s coaching in Little League, though his father occasionally benched him for his tantrums. When Dusty expressed a desire to quit baseball for a paper route, his father encouraged him not to give up, instilling resilience in him. In 1963, when Dusty was 14, the Baker family relocated to Sacramento, where his father found work at McClellan Air Force Base. A lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baker admired Tommy Davis, but became a supporter of the San Francisco Giants when they signed Bobby Bonds in 1968.
Dusty Baker Biography 2025
Johnnie B “Dusty” Baker Jr. is an American former professional baseball outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played in MLB for 19 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics.
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Born: 15 June 1949 (age 75 years), Riverside, California, United States
Teams coached: Houston Astros (Baseball Manager, 2020–2023) · See more
Spouse: Melissa Baker (m. 1994)
Dates joined: 1985 (Oakland Athletics), 1984 (San Francisco Giants), 1976 (Los Angeles Dodgers), 1968 (Atlanta Braves)
Baker played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 19 seasons, representing teams like the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics. While with the Dodgers, he was a two-time All-Star, earned two Silver Slugger Awards, and won a Gold Glove Award. He became the first National League Championship Series (NLCS) MVP during the 1977 NLCS and participated in three World Series with the Dodgers, contributing to their 1981 championship victory. After retiring as a player, Baker transitioned into management, leading the Giants from 1993 to 2002, the Chicago Cubs from 2003 to 2006, the Cincinnati Reds from 2008 to 2013, the Washington Nationals.
He earned NL Manager of the Year honors three times and secured the 2022 World Series title with the Astros, making him the oldest manager to win a championship in one of the four major North American sports leagues at age 73. Baker was the first MLB manager to guide five different teams to the playoffs and win division titles with each, ranking seventh in MLB managerial wins and holding the record for most wins among African-American managers.
Baker attended Del Campo High School in Sacramento, California, where he began to develop his skills in baseball and basketball. After graduating, he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 1967 amateur draft, where he played for eight seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played a crucial role in helping the Dodgers win the World Series in 1981 and represented the team in the All-Star games of 1977 and 1978. Additionally, he played for the San Francisco Giants in 1984 and the Oakland Athletics from 1985 to 1986, before announcing his retirement from baseball in 1986.
Baker began his coaching career with the San Francisco Giants in 1988, initially as a first base coach. He transitioned to hitting coach before taking over as manager in 1993, succeeding Roger Craig. In his debut season as manager, he led the Giants to a remarkable 103-59 record and earned the NL Manager of the Year award. He is one of only four African Americans to manage a World Series team and ranks as the second-winningest manager in Giants history, behind Bruce Bochy.
In 2003, Baker was hired as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, leading the team to its first division title in 14 years, thanks to a strong roster featuring players like Moises Alou and Sammy Sosa. After three seasons with the Cubs, he moved on to manage the Cincinnati Reds in 2007, where he signed a two-year contract extension in 2012. Baker was let go after the Reds’ loss in the National League Wild Card Game in 2013.
Baker’s first marriage to Alica Lee Washington ended in divorce, and he has a daughter named Melissa from that relationship. He has been married to Melissa since 1994, and they have a son, Darren. An avid hunter and fisherman, Baker is also fluent in Spanish.
As a cancer survivor, Baker actively supports charitable organizations and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit focused on enhancing youth sports experiences. He has participated in various videos and webinars for the organization, which can be found on their YouTube channel.
Financial Background
Baker faced significant financial challenges due to IRS issues stemming from investments in tax shelters. This resulted in the IRS garnishing a large portion of his salary during his time managing the Giants. With the help of a tax crisis lawyer, he eventually resolved these issues by 2002.
Baker purchased a 5-acre undeveloped plot in Granite Bay, California, for $589,000, where he built a lavish 9,000 sq ft mansion. This property, featuring extensive amenities and a vineyard, is now valued between $5-6 million. Baker also co-owns Baker Family Wines.
Dusty Baker’s Net Worth 2025
Dusty Baker’s net worth is estimated at $20 million, making him one of the wealthiest baseball coaches. His annual salary is around $4 million, primarily derived from his successful coaching career. His current one-year contract with the Astros is estimated at $1.5 million, adding to his impressive financial standing.
