Baker tabbed as manager of San Francisco Giants - Dusty Baker

Jet, Jan 11, 1993

It took a while, but Dusty Baker finally has shed the mantle of potential manager, after being named to skipper the San Francisco Giants.

"I kept hearing about it," said Baker, 43, who had been the Giants' hitting coach the last four years. "I'm glad it happened."

Baker, who played on four teams during 19 major league seasons, becomes the fourth Black manager currently in the majors.

"I'm proud to be chosen as manager and I'm proud to be Black," said Baker, "but that's not the focal point. I'm most proud of the guys that helped prepare me, guys like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Joe Black, the late Jim Gilliam and the late Bill Lucas. Willie Stargell, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks called me today. That means a lot to me."

Baker will be reunited with his boyhood friend, Bobby Bonds, who replaces him as hitting coach. He'll also manage Bonds son, Barry the highest paid player in the majors.

"This is the greatest day of my life, so far," he said the next day to a crowd at a rally to celebrate the team remaining in San Francisco. "The next greatest day is when we win the pennant and the world championship."