Washington Nationals Manager Dusty Baker Visits DSU

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker paid a visit to Delaware State University and showed students that one can have a highly successful career while at the same time remaining down-to-earth with everyday people. 

The Aug. 29 visit by the 20-year Major League Baseball manager came as a result of his friendship with Ezrah Aharone, a DSU adjunct associate professor in the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy.

During his time on campus, Baker met with DSU President Harry L. Williams and then spoke to the Student Government Association executive officers (“The Movement”) and the Men of Color Alliance (MOCA).

Baker also shared his experiences and wisdom with the Hornets baseball team, speaking about his father (who was also his Little League coach), his early professional baseball years, and the critical role that hard work and prayer has played in his career.

Hornets baseball Head Coach J.P. Blandin said it was a treat for DSU’s student-athletes to hear Baker talk about his experiences.

“The thing that stood out the most was his eagerness to interact and engage with our kids,” Coach Blandin said. “It was very easy to understand why he has been desired in so many clubhouses over the years after the short amount of time he spent with the Hornets baseball program today.”

Currently Baker’s Washington Nationals are one of the top teams in the Major Leagues and are the runaway first place team in the National League East Division. Baker has been the skipper of four teams throughout his managerial career (San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, in addition to the Washington Nationals). A three-time NL Manager of the Year awardee, he led the Giants to the 2002 National League pennant and also reached the playoffs with the Cubs and the Reds.

His managing career was preceded by a 19-year playing career (1968-1986) as a hard-hitting outfielder primarily with the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Awardee, and was a member of the 1981 World Champion Dodgers. He was also the NL Championship Series MVP in 1977.