The Los Angeles Dodgers began Alumni Weekend at Dodger Stadium with a pregame ceremony to honor Dusty Baker, who among other achievements, won a World Series with the team in 1981.
Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis emceed the event to induct Baker into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, and manager Dave Roberts and Reggie Smith delivered speeches.
“Man, Dusty Baker back in Dodger Stadium! Come on! Let’s go! This is the way it’s supposed to be,” Roberts said. “This man is a legend.”
Video messages were shared from Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia, Steve Yeager, Mark Prior, Mickey Hatcher, and Baker’s son Darren, who is a Minor Leaguer in the Washington Nationals farm system.
Festivities coincided with a Dusty Baker Legends of Dodger Baseball bobblehead giveaway.
Legends of Dodger Baseball is the recognition of former players and their impact on the franchise, both on and off the field. Inductees receive a plaque honoring achievements during their career with the Dodgers, which also goes on permanent display at Dodger Stadium.
Baker became the eighth player inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball.
Steve Garvey, Don Newcombe and Fernando Valenzuela made up the inaugural Legends of Dodger Baseball class in 2019. Maury Wills and Kirk Gibson were inducted during the 2022 season, and Manny Mota and Orel Hershiser were added last year.
The Dodgers began a new tradition of presenting a custom-design blue blazer to inductees.
Legends of Dodger Baseball: Dusty Baker’s speech
After sitting alongside family members while being showered with praise, Baker closed out the ceremony with a speech to express his gratitude.
“I just want to say thank you to my teammates,” Baker began. “I’m hoping I helped make them better because they made me a better ballplayer and person.”
Baker’s speech also included thanking Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and recalling his days listening to Vin Scully on a transistor radio as a child and dreaming of playing for the Dodgers.
“I don’t feel like a legend. These guys made me a legend,” Baker concluded.
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