SAN FRANCISCO -- Dusty Baker, one of the most successful managers in franchise history, resumed trying to help the Giants win on Monday, when he was named a special adviser to president and CEO Larry Baer.
Baker's precise duties have not been defined, though Brian Sabean, the Giants' director of baseball operations, said that the three-time National League Manager of the Year is "committed to do as much as possible." Logistics work favorably for the Giants and Baker, who lives about 85 miles away in Sacramento.
Sabean said that Baker, 68, will scout Giants' Minor League affiliates as well as the big league club. The former, Sabean added, intrigues Baker.
"That's something he wants to catch up on -- what the new standard is for the Minor Leagues," Sabean said of Baker, who has managed in the Majors during every year but three since his 10-season Giants tenure ended in 2002.
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"I know Dusty well," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I'm excited to have Dusty join us and have another friend and manager that can add to what we're hoping to do."
Baker was not retained by the Washington Nationals despite steering them to a two-year winning percentage of .593. They finished 95-67 in 2016 and 97-65 in 2017 but were eliminated in the Division Series both years. Once it became clear that Baker would not secure another managerial job, the Giants eagerly courted him.
"Hopefully the timing's right for the wrong reasons," Sabean said, pleased that Baker could "get back to an organization he loved, and we certainly loved him."
Baker left the organization following the 2002 season, when he led the Giants to the World Series. They lost the Fall Classic to the Angels in seven games. Baker managed the Giants for 10 seasons (1993-2002), leading them to winning records in seven of those seasons.
Baker's Giants clubs finished 840-715 (.540). His victory total ranks third in franchise history behind John McGraw (2,583) and Bochy (902).
Baker proceeded to manage the Cubs, Reds and Nationals after leaving the Giants, reaching the postseason at least once with each team. His career managerial record of 1,863-1,636 complements the .278 batting average, 242 home runs and 1,013 RBIs he amassed in 19 big league seasons (1968-86).