With his toothpicks, stylish glasses, and unique coolness, Dusty Baker has become a beloved figure in recent baseball history. Now he has the opportunity to be forever.
The veteran manager has another opportunity to secure a World Series ring next week as his Astros face the surprising Phillies in this year’s Fall Classic.
While Baker has been heralded for his ability to right the ship and turn any team into a bona fide winner, despite having several loaded staffs over the years, baseball’s highest prize has proven elusive.
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There’s a simple reason Dusty Baker wears a glove during Astros games
There are plenty of worthwhile stories surrounding the World Series — Rob Thomson’s debut as a manager, Bryce Harper looking to fulfill a prophecy, the Astros putting the ghosts of the 2017 cheating scandal behind them — but no one story can count. As compelling as Baker’s quest to win a ring as captain of his ball club.
Did Dusty Baker win the World Series?
Unfortunately, Baker, 73, never won a World Series as a manager. He has had a number of opportunities throughout his managerial career: He has managed the Giants (1993-2002), Cubs (2003-06), Reds (2008-13), Nationals (2016-17) and Astros (2020-present). managed. .
Baker guided his teams to nine division titles and three World Series appearances, but came up short in each.
How many times has Dusty Baker been to the World Series?
The 2022 World Series marks Dusty Baker’s third World Series appearance as a manager.
He previously led teams in 2002 (with the Giants) and 2021 (with the Astros). He led his teams to the postseason 12 times during his career.
Dusty Baker World Series record
Dusty Baker is 0-2 in the World Series. As manager of the Giants in 2002, he lost to the Angels in the Fall Classic.
TSN ARCHIVE: The Angels’ one-and-done World Series win in 2002
It would be nearly two decades before Baker would reach another World Series, this time in 2021 with the Astros. Houston would go on to lose to the Braves in six.
His overall World Series play-by-play record is 5-8.
| year | Team | Rival | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | San Francisco Giants | Angels of Anaheim | 4-3, MOM |
| 2021 | Houston Astros | Atlanta Braves | 4-2, ATL |
Most MLB wins without a World Series title as a manager
Baker has the unfortunate distinction of having the most regular season wins as a manager without a World Series ring.
In 2021, Baker made several jumps on the list of all-time winningest managers, moving firmly into ninth place all-time. All eight managers ahead of him have more than one World Series win, except Bobby Cox, who has only one.
| Rank | manager | Winner | Losses | The World Series is won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connie Mack | 3,731 | 3,948 | Five |
| 2 | Tony La Russa | 2,902 | 2515 | three |
| 3 | John McGraw | 2763 | 1,948 | three |
| 4 | Bobby Cox | 2504 | 2001 | one |
| 5 | Joe Torre | 2,326 | 1,997 | four |
| 6 | Sparky Anderson | 2,194 | 1,834 | three |
| 7 | Bucky Harris | 2,158 | 2,219 | three |
| 8 | Joe McCarthy | 2,215 | 1,333 | Seven |
| 9 | Dusty Baker | 2,093 | 1790 | Zero |
| 10 | Walter Alston | 2008 | 1709 | four |
Only four of the top 25 managers in wins do not have World Series rings: Baker, Gene Mauch, Buck Showalter and Clark Griffith.
Did Dusty Baker win a World Series as a player?
Baker is completely unfamiliar with championship champagne. He won the World Series as a player with the Dodgers in 1981 and had one big year with it. The outfielder slashed .320/363/.445 in 103 games in Los Angeles, with 9 home runs and 49 RBIs that season.
He would reach the World Series the previous two seasons with the Dodgers, losing to the Yankees in both 1977 and 1978.
Well, maybe a little revenge with a win over the Yankees in the 2022 ALCS.
