On November 17, 1975, Dusty Baker was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he would spend his next eight seasons.
Baker was acquired alongside Ed Goodson in exchange for Lee Lacy, Tom Paciorek, Jerry Royster and Jimmy Wynn. Despite suffering from knee issues, Baker played in 112 games during his first season with the Dodgers, batting .242 with 13 doubles and four home runs.
Perhaps his best statistical season came in 1980 when Baker carried a .842 on-base plus slugging percentage to go along with 29 home runs, 97 RBI, 80 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. Baker’s 132 OPS+ in 1980 was tied for the second-highest mark of his 19-year career.
It’s widely believed that Baker was the creator of the first-ever high five between him and Dodgers teammate Glenn Burke in 1977 at Dodger Stadium.
Baker was named to two All-Star teams, both coming with the Dodgers in consecutive seasons in 1981 and 1982.
Kershaw wins first Cy Young
Also on this day in Dodgers history, Clayton Kershaw won the 2011 National League Cy Young Award.
At 23 years old, Kershaw became the youngest pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1985 to win a Cy Young. He became the eighth Dodgers’ pitcher in franchise history to win the award.
In 33 starts during the 2011 season, Kershaw posted a 2.28 ERA in 233.1 innings with 248 strikeouts. His 21 wins led the NL. He finished the 2011 season with a 6.8 WAR and was named to his first career All-Star Game.
Kershaw became the 10th Dodgers’ pitcher to record back-to-back 200 strikeout seasons.
Dodgers congratulate Dusty Baker on retirement
Coming out of retirement in 2020, Baker went on to lead the Houston Astros to two World Series appearances.
Their 2022 title was the first World series win of Baker’s 26-year managerial career. In four seasons with the Astros, Baker led them to four American League Championship Series, including three division titles and two AL pennants.
In addition to an outpour of messages from former players and coaches, the Dodgers expressed their gratitude for Baker, wishing him well in retirement.
Baker’s playing career spanned 19 seasons, including a World Series title with the Dodgers when they defeated the New York Yankees in 1981.
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