Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dusty Baker’s Net Worth
Dusty Baker, a prominent figure in American baseball as both a former player and a current manager, has accumulated a net worth of $20 million. His financial standing reflects a career spanning several decades in Major League Baseball, both on the field and in the dugout.
Dusty Baker’s Career as a Player
Baker’s journey in professional baseball began in 1967 when he was drafted straight out of high school by the Atlanta Braves. After a year in the minor leagues, he debuted in the major leagues in October 1968. He remained with the Braves until 1975, showcasing his skills as an outfielder.
In 1976, Baker joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he experienced the most significant successes of his playing career. He won National League Championship Series titles in 1977, 1978, and 1981; he was named the NLCS MVP in 1977. Baker made three World Series appearances with the Dodgers, securing a victory in 1981 against the New York Yankees. During his time with the Dodgers (1976-1983), Baker earned two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove Award, underscoring his abilities both offensively and defensively. He was selected for the National League All-Star team in 1981 and 1982.
After his tenure with the Dodgers, Baker played for the San Francisco Giants for one season before concluding his playing career with the Oakland Athletics for two seasons. He retired in 1986, holding a career batting average of .278, with 242 home runs and 1,013 RBIs.
Dusty Baker’s Managerial Career
Baker transitioned into coaching in 1988, initially serving as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants. He later became the hitting coach for four years before assuming the role of manager in 1993, replacing Roger Craig. In his first year as manager, Baker led the Giants to a remarkable 103-59 record, earning him the NL Manager of the Year Award. Under his guidance, the Giants secured division titles in 1997 and 2000 and reached the World Series in 2002. Baker concluded his time as Giants manager with a regular-season record of 840 wins and 715 losses.
In 2002, Baker took over as manager of the Chicago Cubs, succeeding Don Baylor. He continued his success by leading the Cubs to their first division title in 14 years and their first postseason series victory since 1908. However, subsequent seasons saw a decline in the team’s performance, and Baker departed the Cubs after the 2005 season, leaving with a regular-season record of 322 wins and 326 losses.
Baker was hired as manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. The team won the Central Division title and made their first playoff appearance in 15 years in 2010, with the Reds becoming one of the MLB’s breakout success stories. In 2012, the team once again claimed the Central title. However, Baker was fired following the Reds’ sixth consecutive loss in the 2013 season. He concluded his tenure with a record of 509 wins and 463 losses in the regular season.
In 2016, Baker became the manager of the Washington Nationals, where he led the team to an NL East title before falling to the Dodgers in the NLDS. In 2017, the Nationals again won the NL East before losing in the NLDS, this time to the Cubs.
In early 2020, Baker was appointed as the manager of the Houston Astros. With the team, he became the first baseball manager to lead five different teams into the postseason. In 2021, Baker reached his 1,900th career win as manager and led the Astros to the AL West title. The team went on to the ALCS, defeating the Boston Red Sox to give Baker his first AL pennant.
In January 2020, Dusty Baker signed a one-year contract with the Astros that paid him around $1.5 million for the season.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Johnnie B. Baker Jr., known as Dusty Baker, was born on June 15, 1949, in Riverside, California. He is the eldest of five children. At 14, his family relocated to the Sacramento area, where his father worked at McClellan Air Force Base. Baker attended Del Campo High School, where he excelled in baseball, football, basketball, and track.
In 1967, after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, Baker faced a disagreement with his father, who preferred that he attend college. Despite this, Baker signed with the Braves, causing a seven-year estrangement from his father. He made his MLB debut as an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves in 1968. Simultaneously, he served with the Marine Corps Reserve in motor transport mechanics, a commitment he maintained through the mid-1970s. During the off-season, Baker played for the Mexican Pacific League’s Yaquis de Obregón.
Dusty Baker’s Personal Life and Philanthropy
Baker is married to Melissa, and they have a son named Darren. He also has a daughter named Melissa from a previous marriage. The family resides in Granite Bay, California. Baker is a member of the National Advisory Board for Positive Coaching Alliance, a non-profit organization promoting positive youth sports experiences.
IRS Problems
Around the time Dusty Baker was hired to manage the San Francisco Giants in the early 1990s, he faced issues with the IRS. Following his brother’s advice in the late 1980s, Baker invested in various tax shelters, which led to complications. With penalties, interest, and back taxes, his debt reached several million dollars.
By the late 1990s, when Baker was earning a $900,000 annual salary from the Giants, the IRS garnished his wages to the point where he was allotted only 1% of his salary to live on per year, approximately $90,000. In 2000, Giants owner Peter Magowan provided Baker with a $1 million loan to help him through this period. Baker repaid the loan in full when he was hired by the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2003 season.
Dusty Baker’s Real Estate Holdings
In June 2003, Dusty Baker purchased an undeveloped 5-acre plot of land in Granite Bay, California, near Sacramento, for $589,000. Over the next few years, he built a 9,000-square-foot mansion on the estate, which features multiple structures, large lawns, and a basketball court. Today, this property is estimated to be worth $5-6 million.
