San Francisco Giants fans have reason to cheer as Dusty Baker makes a triumphant return to the team for his third stint, this time in a special assistant role in the front office. The announcement of his return is eagerly anticipated this week, marking a significant development for the Bay Area baseball community.
Baker, a beloved figure in San Francisco, brings with him a wealth of experience that spans a remarkable 26-year career as a major league manager. Despite his retirement from the Houston Astros at the end of the 2023 season, Baker expressed a strong desire to contribute further to the sport, expressing hope for an advisory role.
The 74-year-old managerial veteran, who secured a long-awaited World Series title with the Astros in 2022, is set to take on the role of special assistant to president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and CEO Larry Baer. Baker’s history with the Giants dates back to his managerial tenure from 1993 to 2002, and he later returned in 2018 and 2019 as an adviser to Baer.
Baker’s ties with the Giants were strained after their World Series loss to the Angels in 2002, leading him to assume the managerial position with the Cubs. However, time has healed those wounds, and this new role in the Giants’ front office appears to be a seamless fit. The team has provided flexibility to Baker, even allowing him to attend his son Darren’s college games at the University of California, Berkeley. Furthermore, Baker maintains a residence in Granite Bay, outside Sacramento, where he tends to his garden and cultivates grapes for his personal wine.
Reflecting on this reunion, Baker’s enduring connection with San Francisco shines through. As reported by USA Today on Monday, the homecoming of this baseball icon is sure to be a source of excitement for Giants fans and a testament to the enduring bond between Baker and the Bay Area.