Darren Baker, son of Ex-SF Giants manager Dusty Baker, gets MLB callup

Posted on by knews.uk

It was, depending on who you ask, the defining image of the 2002 World Series: a three-run Darren Baker scooped up by JT Snow as he crossed home plate. More than two decades later, Baker has graduated from bat boy to major leaguer.

Baker, the 25-year-old son of former Giants manager Dusty Baker, was called up to the major leagues by the Nationals on Sunday, marking the first time he will appear on a major-league roster.

In the seventh inning of Game 5 of the 2002 World Series, Giants outfielder Kenny Lofton sent an impressive fly ball off the right-center field wall. Snow, who was on third base, ran home. So did Baker.

After crossing home plate, Snow grabbed Baker, who was about four months shy of his fourth birthday, and carried him away from the live game. When the game ended, Snow sat Baker down and let him get the bat. The “Darren Baker Rule” was later established, requiring bat boys to be at least 14 years old.

“Thank goodness JT Snow was aware and got Darren Baker out of the way,” Joe Buck said during the broadcast.

Baker, 25, spent four seasons at Cal before being selected in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. During his time at Berkeley, Baker hit .303 and swiped 58 bases. This season, Baker hit .285 with 38 steals in 43 attempts for the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate.

The elder Baker currently works for the Giants as a special advisor for baseball operations. Baker had an 840-715 record in his 10 seasons in charge of the Giants (1993-2002), leading the team to the World Series in his final season at the helm.