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Baseball, Sacramento River Cats

River Cats and Aces Seesaw but Reno Nabs Final Tally

Luciano, Wisely and Diaz Earn RBI Each

By: Jake Ward

Featured Photo by : Shawn Jonas

RENO, Nev. –  The Sacramento River Cats and the Reno Aces traded shots in the middle innings of the series finale of their six-game set, but it was Reno that had the last laugh to split the series as they secured a 6-4 victory on Sunday.

Luciano’s RBI Double in the 3rd inning

For a second straight game the River Cats (5-4) scored first but were unable to keep the lead, breaking the scoreless tie in the third with a two-out RBI double from Marco Luciano that scored Donovan Walton, who had reached with a walk. The Aces (5-3) answered with their swings in the bottom half in a similar fashion as a leadoff walk came around to score on an RBI single from Pavin Smith. 

Ramos’ Single in the 4th
Brett Wisely’s RBI Single in the 4th inning

To start the fourth the River Cats pulled back in front thanks to Brett Wisely, as he singled into left center that scored Heliot Ramos from second who had reached with a single of his own before advancing on a walk to Casey Schmitt.

It took an inning for the Aces to respond, but they did so with a trio of runs in the home half of the fifth on the strength of doubles from Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Garlick and a pair of free passes.

Yusniel Diaz’s RBI Single in the 6th

Trailing by two, Sacramento found a way to knot the game once again in the away half of the sixth with a rally started when Jakson Reetz was hit by a pitch and Wisely was issued a walk. Reetz did not wait long as he immediately came around to score on an RBI single to left center by Yusniel Diaz, while Wisley scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Walton. 

Walton’s Sacrifice Fly brings Wisely into score

The lead only lasted a half inning, as Reno responded with two of their own in the bottom of the sixth that was kicked off by a Sacramento error. Consecutive singles from Jancarlos Cintron, Barrosa and Almora Jr. resulted in both of the runs, and the inning was kept from getting worse when Barrosa was thrown out at third and gave Sacramento a way out of the frame.

Down but not out, the River Cats loaded the bases back-to-back walks to Heliot Ramos and Schmitt, finally filling when Reetz was hit by a pitch for a second time. Despite having the opportunity to take the lead, one of the year’s most clutch hitters Wisely was unable to capitalize and left them loaded.

After taking over for starter Spencer Howard, who allowed two runs on five hits in 4.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts, RJ Dabovich (0-1) was charged with the loss as he was tagged for four runs (three earned) in his only frame of work.

Keeping the River Cats in the game down the stretch was the trio of Justin Garza, Randy Rodriguez and Cody Stashak, who each combined on 2.0 scoreless innings with only two hits allowed.

Picking up the win for Reno was Blake Walston (1-0), who entered after the recently signed Joran Montgomery who was still ramping up for the Diamondbacks’ regular season. Walston went 2.2 innings and two earned runs on only one hit with four walks and two strikeouts. Down the stretch, Francisco Morales earned a hold with a clean 1.1. innings while Justin Martinez collected his second save of the campaign with a perfect ninth. 

All four Sacramento hits came from different bats, with the trio of Luciano (1-for-5, double), Wisely (1-for-3, run) and Diaz (1-for-3) responsible for most and an RBI each. 

Having completed their first six-game series with a split, the River Cats will now return home for their first six-game set at Sutter Health Park beginning on Tuesday against the El Paso Chihuahuas with first pitch at 6:45 p.m.

Sacramento River Cats

Sacramento Suffers First Road Loss at Hands of Reno

Luciano Records Second Three-Hit Game of Season

Luciano Single in the 1st inning

By : Jake Ward (River Cats Media Relations)

RENO, Nev. – All good things must come to an end, and so did the unblemished road record for the Sacramento River Cats as they were handed a 9-1 defeat at the hands of the Reno Aces in game four of their series on Friday.

Whisenhunt gets the strikeout in the 2nd inning.

The Aces (3-3) took the advantage early with their swings in the first by getting to River Cats (5-2) starter Carson Whisenhunt (0-1) for a pair of runs on the strength of four singles, with the latter two RBI singles from Tristin English and Alber Almora Jr. that came with two outs in the frame.

Two innings later Reno added onto its lead, doing so with one swing of the bat thanks to Kevin Newman who hit the first pitch of the third over the wall in right to make it 3-0. Continuing the offense, the Aces tacked on three more in the fourth after an error at shortstop in front of a Jancarlos Cintron single set the stage for a three-run homer by Jorge Barrosa to left center. 

After a final strikeout, Whisenhunt exited the contest in favor of right-hander Daulton Jefferies, who kept the Aces off the board for most of his 4.1 innings except for the sixth. Consecutive singles to open the frame put a pair on, allowing Barrosa and Jose Herrera to each collect an RBI with their own base knocks. Later in the inning, the final run of the frame on a sacrifice fly from Kyle Garlick. 

Walton’s Single in the 3rd inning

Sacramento prevented the shutout with a run in the top of the seventh, scoring once on a double play ball by last night’s winning pitcher, Donovan Walton. The inning was poised to be much larger than just a single run, with Blake Sabol drawing a walk to lead off while Yusniel Diaz followed immediately with a single. Another walk, this time to Ismael Munguia, loaded the bases, until Walton’s double play traded one run for two outs leaving a final line out by Luis Matos to end the inning.

Whisenhunt was charged with the loss after allowing the first runs of his Triple-A career, yielding six (five earned) on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work. Jefferies went the rest of the 4.1 innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits with two walks and four punchouts.

On the other side, Reno starter Cristian Mesa (2-0) made it into the seventh inning. He eventually left after 6.0+ innings while allowing just the one run on five hits, though he walked three and struck out only two.

Luciano Single in the 8th inning

Pacing Sacramento at the plate was Marco Luciano, who was 3-for-4 on the night which included a single that came off the bat at 106.0 mph in the top of the first. Each game that Luciano has tallied a hit has been a multi-hit effort, as he now has four multi-hit games including a pair of contests with three base knocks. Also collecting hits were Matos (1-for-4, double), Diaz (1-for-3), and Walton (1-for-3). 

Mattos Double in the 5th inning

Both teams will return to the field of Greater Nevada Field for game five of this series on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:05 p.m.

Sacramento River Cats

Sacramento Secures 12-Inning, 9-8 Victory in Battle Against Reno

Reetz Homers Twice While Walton Earns First Career Pitching Victory

By : Jake Ward (River Cats Media Relations)

Reetz’s first homer in the 2nd inning.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Tuesday’s series opener between the Sacramento River Cats and the Reno Aces had a little bit of everything including scoring in eight innings, a pair of two-homer games, and even a position player earning the victory on the mound as Sacramento was able to hold on for a wild 9-8 victory in 12 innings. 

Brett Wisely triples in the 2nd inning.

The scoring was hot and heavy early on a beautiful day in Reno, Nev., and the River Cats (3-1) wasted little time as they dropped two runs in each of the second and third innings. A leadoff triple in the second from Brett Wisely put him just 90 feet away from scoring the game’s first run, which he did mere moments later on a wild pitch from Aces (2-1) starter Blake Walston. Two batters later, Jakson Reetz crushed his first dinger of the season that traveled an eye-popping 456 feet over the scoreboard in left center to make it 2-0.

Ramos homers in the 3rd inning.

While the Aces got one back on a Jose Herrera single to left in the home half of the second, Heliot Ramos started the third with a bang by crushing his second homer in as many games with a deep blast to left center. A bases loaded walk later in the inning pushed the score to 4-1. For Ramos, he is the first River Cat to homer in consecutive games in 2024. 

That lead was not meant to last when Kyle Garlick stepped to the plate for Reno, as he grooved a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right field for a three-run homer that instantly tied the game with just one out in the third. Reno then took the lead with a run in each the fourth and fifth, as Tim Tawa doubled and scored the go-ahead run followed by the second Garlick homer of the afternoon on an 0-2 pitch to lead off the home half of the fourth.

Reetz two-run homer in the 8th inning.

Sacramento’s offense went dormant until the eighth, coming to life when Reetz matched Garlick with his second home run of the day, this a ball that just cleared the wall in left center and tied the score once more at 6-6. In 2023 there were 10 River Cats who had two-homer games, which included a pair from Jakson Reetz. He was also the last to do it in 2023, coming on July 30 at Albuquerque. 

From that point forward it seemed as if there might not be a winner in the game, as each time the River Cats would jump in front, Reno was there to answer. In the ninth, singles from Casey Schmitt and Chase Pinder set the table for a Wisely double down the left-field line, though it scored only Schmitt on the play.

Through eight innings River Cats pitchers had not issued a walk, but that changed in the ninth as they walked the bases loaded while the second of two balks in the frame ended up forcing home the tying run.

Villar’s RBI single in the 10th.

Back at it in the 10th, David Villar came through in the clutch when he sent a ball through the hole at second base which scored Ismael Munguia, who began the frame on second as the free runner.

Stashak Gloves the line drive comeback shot.

Entering to pitch was right-hander Cody Stashak, who was able to get two relatively quick outs with runners at the corners, the second of which was a comeback-liner that would have connected with Stashak had he not displayed incredible reflexes to get his glove up for the second out. Despite that play, he would walk in the tying run that forced game into the 11th, which was the only of the three extra innings to not feature any scoring.

Part of the reason for no scoring in the 11th was infielder Donovan Walton (1-0), who entered for his first minor league pitching appearance in his career (one major league pitching appearance for San Francisco on June 3, 2022 at Miami) as Sacramento tried not to burn their bullpen arms in the first game of the series. Walton was effective, as he earned a trio of fly balls that left the free runner stranded on base. 

Stepping to the plate and proving to be the hero once again was Reetz, though this time all he needed was a double down the left-field line to easily score Trenton Brooks as the free runner and give Sacramento the 9-8 advantage.

Out for the bottom of the 12th again was Walton, putting the cap on Sacramento’s first 12-inning game since they also went 12 innings against Sugar Land on April 8, 2022 in a 7-6 victory. However, Walton needed some help as there were not one, but two outfield assists on plays at the plate that prevented the tying run from scoring.

Pinder’s assist in the 12th .

First, a Herrera single with only one out looked as if it could score free runner Tristin English from second base, but his hesitation while rounding third provided just enough time for Reetz to collect the relay throw that was started by Pinder and dive back across home plate to tag out English. In the very next at-bat, Tawa sent a double into the left-center gap that seemed as if it also might tie the game. However, Munguia was able to get to it quickly and connected on a relay with Marco Luciano that had the ball to the plate with feet to spare, ultimately sealing the 9-8 win for the River Cats. 

Those final two plays earned Walton his first pitching victory of his professional career, though it would not have been possible without three combined scoreless innings from Randy Rodriguez (one inning with one strikeout) and Juan Sanchez (two innings with three strikeouts), as neither allowed a base runner.

Charged with the loss for Reno was Chris Rodriguez (0-1), who was able to stay clean in the 11th but gave up the one unearned run in the top of the 12th. 

At the dish, every River Cat to have an official at-bat reached base, and they were led by the 3-for-4 effort from Wisely who also scored once, tallied two doubles and a triple, and drove in a pair. He would not be outshined by Reetz, who clobbered two dingers in a 3-for-5 day to go with four RBI and a double. Also picking up multi-hit games was the pair of Luciano (2-for-5, run scored, two walks) and Villar (2-for-6, double, RBI).

Each of the first four games of the 2024 season have been decided by one run, which had not happened in a single season for Sacramento since 2017 when each contest from July 24-27 was separated by just one tally. That happened twice in 2017, with the first such instance occurring from May 6-9. Dating back to the final two games of 2023, each of the past six River Cats contests have been one-run games.

Just two minutes shy of the four-hour mark was when the game came to a close, the longest game time for the River Cats since they went four hours and 34 minutes against Sugar Land in that 12-inning marathon on April 8, 2022.

Both teams will be back in action with another afternoon matinee on Wednesday, with first pitch at 2:05 p.m. from Greater Nevada Field. 

Sacramento River Cats

River Cats Fight To The End, Split Doubleheader

Whisenhunt Dazzles in Game One, Ramos Homers in Game Two

By Jake Ward (RiverCats Media Relations)

March 31, 2024

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fans of pitching were in for a treat in the doubleheader on Sunday between the Sacramento River Cats and the Salt Lake Bees, as the two sides kept each other at bay and wound up splitting the twin bill after Sacramento took game one by a 1-0 final but saw the Bees capture game two in extra innings, 3-2.

Game One (7 Innings)

Pitching was the theme in the first of the day’s twin bill, and shining was none other than the No. 3 prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, Carson Whisenhunt. He punched out the first batter he faced, struck out the side in the second, and ended his day after three innings by recording six of his nine outs via the strikeout. Each of his punchouts ended with a whiff by a Bees (1-2) batter, and he yielded just one hit without a walk.

Following the groove of the lefty for the River Cats (2-1) was right-hander Spencer Bivens (1-0), who picked up where Whisenhunt left off by striking out two in the fourth, the latter of which came with runners at the corners to leave them stranded.

It takes two to duel, as despite a leadoff single from Heliot Ramos, Sacramento was held off base in each the second and third innings by Zach Plesac. Finally in the fourth the River Cats broke through against Plesac thanks to the duo of Casey Schmitt and last night’s walk-off hero Brett Wisely. Wisely walked and was able to swipe second to put himself in scoring position, when Schmitt tallied his first hit of the season that sailed into center field and produced what would be the game’s only run.

Bivens kept his momentum going through the sixth, as a walk to Jack Lopez in the top of the fifth was erased when Lopez was caught stealing. Next time out, Bivens worked around a one-out ground rule double by Livan Soto to end the sixth.

Taking over to start the seventh was right-hander Cody Stashak (S, 1), who worked a quick and clean seventh for his first save since he was a member of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on May 20, 2019. Despite his dominant outing, Whisenhunt earned a no-decision.

One day after logging 14 strikeouts in their season-opening contest, which was the most in a season-opener in Sacramento history since at least 2005, the River Cats collected another 11 punchouts in their campaign’s second game. Last year in 2023, there were only 10 instances of Sacramento logging 11 or more strikeouts in consecutive games (high of four from 6/13-6/16).

Charged with the loss for Salt Lake was Plesac, who lasted 5.0 innings and allowed just two hits and a pair of walks while striking out four. Former San Francisco Giant Hunter Strickland tossed the sixth and allowed one hit with a strikeout.

Both teams had just three hits in the contest, and only Soto of Salt Lake had a multi-hit game. For the River Cats, the trio of hits came from Ramos, Schmitt and David Villar, while the only run was scored by Wisely after his walk. The game was the fastest seven-inning game in Sacramento history at one hour and 38 minutes, topping the season opening contest between these same two teams from last year on April 1, 2023 by one minute (one hour, 39 minutes).

Game Two (9 Innings)

Continuing the low-scoring theme of the day, game two of the doubleheader did not see a run through the originally scheduled seven innings. It was not until the eighth inning that the Bees broke through on the scoreboard, taking advantage of the free runner on second base with a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third, where they scored easily on a single by Jordyn Adams. Salt Lake continued the offensive and loaded the bases, ultimately scoring once more on a bases loaded walk.

On the first pitch of the home half of the eighth the River Cats answered, as Heliot Ramos hammered the first offering to straightaway center field for a two-run homer. The first of the year by Ramos was reminiscent of his pair of walk-off home runs in 2023, getting out of the park in a hurry and energizing the home crowd.

Moving into the ninth, it seemed as if Sacramento would escape the inning without allowing a run, but the throw to first from Otto Lopez on a would-be inning-ending double play sailed wide and into the Bees’ dugout, allowing the run to score. The River Cats would then go down in order to bring an end to the game.

Both teams were able to put runners on in the early going, but both had a runner picked off in the first. Each team had one hit in the third and fourth innings but failed to get anything to materialize.

Sacramento starter Mason Black went five innings and scattered four hits, striking out five in the process but left with a no-decision. RJ Dabovich made his season debut and worked 1.1 scoreless innings, while Tanner Andrews (0-1) yielded an unearned run in 1.2 innings but was also charged with the loss.

Earning credit for the victory was Zac Kristofrak (1-0), as he tossed 1.2 scoreless frames while walking and striking out one. Davis Daniel, Salt Lake’s starter, also was rendered a no-decision despite his six frames of work, allowing five hits and punching out five.

Luciano collected the only multi-hit game in the second half of the day for Sacramento, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Also logging hits was Ismael Munguia, Blake Sabol, Lopez and Pinder.

With the first homestand in the books, Sacramento will now hit the road for their first six-game set, which begins on Tuesday at Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nev. as the River Cats take on the Reno Aces beginning Tuesday at 2:05 p.m.

San Francisco Giants

Whisenhunt displays electric stuff in brief Triple-A season debut

https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/topic/mlb-pipeline-coverage

By: Jesús Cano

@jesus_cano88

The Giants are already loaded with a starting rotation consisting of Logan Webb, Blake Snell, Jordan Wicks and Kyle Harrison, but a young arm is strong-arming his way toward San Francisco.

In his 2024 debut, Carson Whisenhunt struck out six batters while allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings in Triple-A Sacramento River Cats 1-0 win over Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon at Sutter Health Park.

“It’d be really cool to get the opportunity to go up there and be with those guys,” Whisenhunt said. “I’m trying not to look that far ahead. Just trying to get back into the field and take care of things. And if I get the opportunity to go out there, I’ll take advantage of it.”

MLB Pipeline’s No. 80 overall prospect allowed just one hit — a single grounded to right field by Livan Soto, the second batter he faced — and racked up 12 swings-and-misses.

The 23-year-old’s arsenal is equipped with a sinker, a slider and a curveball. On Sunday, Whisenhunt generated five whiffs with his sinker, which topped at 95 mph. His changeup accounted for seven whiffs.

“I’ve been working on a bunch of different things through Spring Training and the offseason,” Whisenhunt said. “I feel like all of my pitches were really good today. There were a few misses that I can work on and get better at, but for just that first time back out there, an actual game felt really good.”

Whisenhunt put himself on the map last year. In 16 appearances, he posted a 2.45 ERA and held hitters to a .177 average-against in 58 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A. He ascended from the club’s No. 8 prospect slot to No. 3 this season.

“I’m not trying to do too much on the mound,” Whisenhunt said about last season’s success. “I’m trying not to overthink it or do anything out of the ordinary. Coming into this year, I’m trying to keep that same mindset, just trying to stay myself.”

His numbers are even more impressive when you consider that he was shut down late last July with a left elbow sprain. Remaining healthy was a key priority for Whisenhunt during the offseason.

Having already mastered his changeup and sinker, the East Carolina product also spent time working on command and developing his curveball. He only threw it twice for the River Cats in Sunday’s game, but already feels like progress has been made.

Sacramento River Cats

Wisely Walks Cats to Victory In 2024 Season Opener

Photos by Shawn Jonas

By: Jake Ward (River Cats Media Relations)

March 30, 2024

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It took a day longer than it was originally scheduled for, but the Sacramento River Cats celebrated their first win of the 2024 season in walk-off style thanks to a solo home run from Brett Wisely in the bottom of the ninth to give Sacramento a 3-2 win over the Salt Lake Bees. 

The game entered the ninth locked at 2-2 after the Bees (0-1) had scored twice in the away half of the eighth on their own home run, a two-run shot from Chad Wallach that came against left-hander Juan Sanchez.

Wisely Walks Cats to Victory In 2024 Season Opener

Wisely wasted no time in sending the crowd home happy, as he unloaded on the third pitch of his at-bat and sent a ball into the bullpen beyond the right-field wall for the first River Cats (1-0) homer of the season. In 2023 Sacramento was 8-6 in walk-off games, but only two were won by a home run (both came from Heliot Ramos on a Saturday).

Early on it seemed as if the River Cats might not need the late-game theatrics, as they plated a pair in the fourth inning and had held that lead until the eighth. After tallying the first hit of the 2024 campaign for the River Cats (1-0), Trenton Brooks was also responsible for the first RBI of the year. Catcher Blake Sabol set the table with a single into right field and then swiped second base, later scoring easily when Brooks sent a knock into right-center field.

To start the game, it was the Bees that nearly took the advantage out of the gate. Both of the game’s first two batters reached base, as Jordyn Adams smacked a leadoff double to left field and then was joined on the basepaths when Livan Soto’s bunt single put runners at the corners.

Settling into a groove after that was Sacramento starter Carson Seymour, who was making his Triple-A debut. Seymour immediately punched out the next two hitters, with the latter kicking off a double play to end the inning when Sabol threw out Soto trying to steal second.

Wisely Walks Cats to Victory In 2024 Season Opener

Sacramento also had its chances at breaking the game open but failed to score in the home half of the third despite loading the bases thanks to singles from Brooks and Chase Pinder, along with a walk drawn by Marco Luciano. The bags were full once again in the fourth behind Brooks’ RBI single, but Sacramento managed only one more run on a walk by Ismael Munguia. 

After Seymour’s exit, he flipped the ball to newcomer Tommy Romero, who shut the Bees down for three full innings. The right-hander allowed just a trio of hits and a walk while recording six of his nine outs via the punchout. As a squad, the River Cats ended the night with 14 strikeouts, which was their most in a season-opener since at least 2005.

There to collect the victory was last year’s Triple-A wins leader Nick Avila (1-0), who started the sequel to his undefeated 2023 campaign (14-0) by working a clean ninth with a pair of punchouts.

Brooks led the way at the dish, closing his night 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Wisely also collected a pair of knocks including his game-winning walk-off, while both Pinder and Sabol had a hit each.

Taking the loss for Salt Lake was Jimmy Herget (0-1), who allowed a home run to the only batter he faced. 

Both teams will have a busy day tomorrow, as last night’s postponement has turned Sunday into a doubleheader consisting of two seven-inning games beginning at 1:05 p.m. 

San Francisco Giants

Giants agree to two-year contract with left-handed pitcher Blake Snell

March 19, 2024

Blake Snell

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The Giants and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner LHP Blake Snell agreed to terms on a two-year Major League contract worth $62 million, which includes an opt-out following the 2024 season. Snell will earn a $15 million salary in 2024 while also receiving a $17 million signing bonus, payable on January 15, 2026. Snell will earn $30 million in 2025, of which $15 million will be deferred and paid on July 1, 2027. Snell will also make an annual donation to the Giants Community Fund, which includes $160,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025. 

Snell, 31, posted a 14-9 record with a 2.25 ERA over 32 starts last season en route to his second Cy Young Award (first in the NL). Snell, who previously won the award in the American League with Tampa Bay in 2018, joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Max Scherzer, Gaylord Perry, and Roy Halladay as the only players in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. 

In addition to winning his second Cy Young, Snell also led the Majors in ERA for the first time in his career with his 2.25 figure in 2023 (he led the AL with his 1.89 ERA in his other Cy Young year in 2018). He also led the Majors last season in opposing batting average (.181), opponent slugging percentage (.286), opponent OPS (.579), and hits allowed per 9.0 innings (5.75). His 234 strikeouts were tied for third-most in the Majors behind ATL’s Spencer Strider (281) and TOR’s Kevin Gausman (237). 

Named The Sporting News 2023 National League Starter of the Year, Snell last year posted career-bests in starts, strikeouts, and opponents slugging percentage and came just two outs shy of matching a career-high in innings pitched (180.0). He also had the best bWAR among pitchers (6.0) in the NL. 

Snell was selected by Tampa Bay in the supplemental first round (52nd overall) of the 2011 Draft out of Shorewood High School in Shoreline, WA. The lefty made his MLB debut in 2016 and had a breakout season in 2018, when he earned his first Cy Young award after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA across 31 starts. He finished ninth in the MVP voting that season and was named an American League All-Star. 

In 191 career starts, Snell has gone 71-55 with a 3.20 ERA and 1,223 strikeouts across his eight seasons with the Rays (2016-2020) and Padres (2021-2023). In 12 career Postseason games (10 starts), Snell is 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. 

With the addition of Snell, the Giants’ 40-man roster is currently at 40 players.

San Francisco Giants

GIANTS NAME DUSTY BAKER SPECIAL ADVISOR TO BASEBALL OPERATIONS

January 18, 2024

Photos By : Shawn Jonas

Dusty Baker is back with the Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Giants today announced that former manager Dusty Baker will return to the organization as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations and will perform duties both on the baseball and business side.

      “We are so excited to welcome Dusty back into the Giants organization,” said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer. “Dusty’s experience, knowledge, and the success he’s had in his 50 years of baseball will be an invaluable piece to the success and continued development of our baseball operations efforts both on and off the field.” 

      “I was fortunate enough to get to know Dusty when we overlapped in the organization in 2019, and I’m excited to get to work with him again,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. “We’ve had a chance to meet in person and discuss our shared vision of bringing championship baseball back to San Francisco. I learn something new in every interaction with him and look forward to leaning on his experience and perspective on the game.”

Baker and Melvin chat.

      “I’m thrilled to be on the same team as Dusty again,” said Giants Manager Bob Melvin. “He’s been a great friend and mentor to me over the years. More than anything, I don’t have to manage against him anymore. Welcome home Bake.”

      “I’ve enjoyed my stops at various places but I’m happy to be back home,” said Baker. “I look forward to providing guidance to the organization and helping the Giants get back to the top in a very tough division.”

      Baker will join the Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour for the first stop in Sacramento this Saturday, January 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Sutter Health Park – Home of the Sacramento River Cats.

      The three-time National League Manager of the Year returns to the Giants organization after serving the previous four seasons as the manager of the Houston Astros, where he posted a combined record of 320-226 (.586), leading the Astros to two trips to the World Series, including his first championship as a manager in 2022. In four years with Houston, Baker reached the American League Championship Series four times, won three consecutive AL West division titles (2021-23), two AL pennants (2021-22), and one World Series, beating the Phillies in six games in 2022. He is the oldest manager to win a World Series.

      Before his stint with the Astros, Baker was a Special Advisor to the CEO for the Giants for two years (2018-19).

      Baker, 74, finished his 26-year managerial career as one of the most accomplished managers in history. His 2,183 wins in the regular season are the seventh-most in history and he’s the only manager to lead five different teams to the postseason. During his 26-year managerial career, he posted a 2,183-1,862 (.540) record with the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-06), Cincinnati Reds (2008-13), Washington Nationals (2016-17) and Houston Astros (2020-2023). Baker produced 13 Postseason teams, including 10 division championships (San Francisco, 1997 and 2000; Chicago, 2003; Cincinnati, 2010 and 2012; Washington, 2016 and 2017; Houston, 2021, 2022, 2023), and three wild card appearances (San Francisco, 2002; Cincinnati, 2013; Houston 2020).

      Baker’s coaching career started as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants in 1988 and he then spent the following four years (1989–92) as the hitting coach before being named manager in 1993. In his very first year as Giants manager, he won the 1993 NL Manager of the Year award, leading the team to a 103–59 record, which was the second-best record in baseball that year. His Giants teams went on to win division titles in 1997 and 2000 and the National League pennant in 2002. His 840 wins with San Francisco rank third-most in team history behind Bruce Bochy (1,052) and Hall of Famer John McGraw (2,583).

      A career .278 hitter, Baker played 19 seasons in the big leagues and compiled 242 home runs, 320 doubles, 23 triples, and 1,013 RBI. He finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice (1980 and 1981), and from 1980-82 he hit .303, averaging 20 home runs, 20 doubles, and 78 RBI a year while earning two Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove, and two All-Star selections.

      Baker currently resides in Sacramento, CA with his wife, Melissa, and has two children, Natosha and Darren, and a pair of grandchildren. He is a 1967 graduate of Del Campo High School (Carmichael, CA) and attended American River College (Sacramento, CA). Baker was inducted into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and the California Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2015, he was enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.