Legendary former Astros manager in talks to rejoin SF Giants front office
Former SF Giants manager Dusty Baker has had conversations with Giants CEO Larry Baer about returning to the organization. In a radio appearance on 95.7 The Game's Steiny & Guru, Baker said he is excited about the direction of the Giants and even plans to have a discussion with president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi to see if he can find a role with the team. Baker, of course, retired as the Houston Astros manager this offseason. It's worth noting that Baker coached Giants manager Bob Melvin and has a long history with the organization.
SF Giants former manager Dusty Baker during the 1989 team reunion. (2019)
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
"I'm looking forward to this next chapter," Baker said. "I'm talking to the Giants, I talked to Larry Baer the other day about the possibility of maybe even joining them and so we just have to see how things work out."
Baker's MLB journey began as a 19-year old outfielder back in 1968, when he debuted with Atlanta. His MLB career would span nearly two decades and include a pair of All-Star appearances, Silver Sluggers, and a World Series title. Shortly after he hung up his cleats, the Giants enticed him back to the team as a first-base coach in 1987. He became the team's manager in 1992 and would go on to win a trio of Manager of the Year awards across an impressive tenure. While the Giants would only reach one World Series, and famously fall short of a victory, it was the beginning of an impressive managerial career.
Baker would catch on with the Cubs, Reds, Nationals, and Astros. At each of his stops, he racked up more seasons with at least 88-wins than below .500 campaigns. He reached the playoffs with each team, and while it took him awhile to get a World Series ring as a coach, he finally achieved that dream with the Astros in 2022.
Despite his nomadic managerial career, Baker continued living in Northern California. In fact, during his hiatus from managing after he parted ways with the Nationals, Baker actually returned to the Giants as a special advisor to Baer and former top baseball operations decision maker Brian Sabean before he was hired as Houston's manager.
Given Dusty Baker's years of experience and deep connection to the organization, it seems like it should be easy for the SF Giants to find a way for him to contribute. Perhaps that could entail serving as a sounding board for Farhan Zaidi as he puts together a roster. Perhaps stopping by the clubhouse to offer advice to players and coaches from time to time. Or perhaps helping out on the minor-league side of things, offering his insights to players with their affiliates in Sacramento and San Jose.
