It’s as close to a full-circle moment as it can get for Darren Baker, now playing for the organization where his dad began his historic managerial career.
Baker, 27, is a second baseman for the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, who are facing the Las Vegas Aviators in a six-game series.
Baker’s father is Dusty Baker, who spent the first 10 years of his 26-year run as a manager with the Giants that included the National League pennant in 2002.
“It’s been a crazy year,” Darren Baker said Friday at Las Vegas Ballpark. “I’m happy to be here, happy to be playing.”
Darren Baker was also part of that 2002 team and was involved in one of the more memorable moments in World Series history.
During Game 5 of the 2002 World Series, Darren Baker — then 3 years old — ran onto the field to pick up the bat that outfielder Kenny Lofton used to hit an RBI triple.
Darren Baker went to pick up the bat as two grown baseball players were heading for home plate.
Giants first baseman J.T. Snow famously scooped up Darren Baker before being run over at the plate.
It’s a story that Baker has told plenty of times, to the point the Giants’ public relations staff made it clear to not ask any questions in relation to that.
But Baker is trying to carve out his own path back to the majors.
A 10th-round pick by the Washington Nationals in 2021, Baker made his big-league debut in 2024. He played in nine games with the Nationals as a September call-up, going 7 for 14 at the plate.
That wasn’t good enough to keep Baker up for a longer look the following season. He batted .256 for the Rochester Red Wings in Triple-A.
This season hasn’t been easy. He started the season with the Chicago White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, but a back injury limited him to 11 games.
“I think this year has changed my perspective of the game,” Baker said. “I’ve never really been hurt for that long. I’m just taking it day by day and do whatever I can to help the team.”
Baker said he leaned on both of his parents, including his mom Melissa, during this trying part of his career.
Dusty Baker dealt with a number of injuries during his 19-year playing career. He doesn’t have to go far for advice.
Baker hopes this turns into another September call-up situation. The Giants entered Saturday at 62-86 and have long been eliminated from playoff contention.
“I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve only been here a couple of weeks, but I love it here,” Baker said. “All the guys have been great. I live in Sacramento, so I get to drive home after the games. It’s been nice.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
