By Jon Weisman
It’s been 40 years since Riverside native Dusty Baker made his debut in a Dodger uniform. He has also spent 40 seasons in the Major Leagues — 19 as a player (including eight with Los Angeles) and 21 as a manager, including this year’s debut season helming the Washington Nationals.
The Dodgers are honoring Baker, who played for four National League West titlists, three NL pennant winners and the 1981 World Series champions, with a bobblehead giveaway for Wednesday’s series finale. In that spirit, team historian Mark Langill profiled Baker for Dodger Insider magazine.
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Bonus: Here’s a 1979 snapshot of Baker and Davey Lopes with “Happy Days” stars Ron Howard and Tom Bosley. Baker hit a two-run homer with Lopes aboard that night.
Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand plus one in October, 13 issues total. It is distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. Dodger Insider magazine includes news, features, analysis, photos, games, stadium information and more. Fans who still wish to subscribe can do so at dodgers.com/magazine.
oldbrooklynfan
I remember when Dusty, first came to the Dodgers when the Braves gave up on him becoming the next Hank Aaron. He never became that but he had some great years with this team in left field.