Dusty Baker was all smiles as he watched as his son Darren Baker recorded his first big league hit on Sunday during his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals.
Darren Baker had been called up on Sunday as part of MLB expanding their rosters and he got his first appearance at the plate in the ninth inning of a 14-1 loss to the Cubs.
Dusty Baker’s son is of course best remembered for his time as a bat boy when his dad managed the Giants and J.T. Snow pulled him out of harm’s way during Game 5 of the 2003 World Series.
This time around he was at the plate and knocked a single up the middle on the first pitch he faced to the delight of his parents, who were on hand.
Dusty Baker was smiling as he looked on at the memorable moment and Darren Baker couldn’t hide the smile on his face either as he lifted his arms in celebration after reaching first base.
“He was brought up a baseball player,” Washington manager Dave Martinez told reporters, according to the Washington Post. “He understands the game and knows how to play the game. He steals bases when you need him to. He puts the ball in play to get guys over and knocks in some big runs. All that stuff. He’s just a baseball player.”
The younger Baker joked to reporters that he “didn’t need an alarm today” in order to be ready for the afternoon matchup with the Cubs.
The incident with Darren Baker and Snow has been one that has been brought up to the younger Baker on many occasions, but Dusty Baker told the outlet it’s not something that he really remembers.
Snow grabbed Darren Baker at the last minute after the then 3-year-old had run on to grab a bat while the play was still going on.
“That’s something he doesn’t even remember,” Dusty Baker said. “He’s reminded of it constantly, but he doesn’t remember. That’s quite a story. At the time, it seemed kind of funny or embarrassing or whatever, but in the full circle of life, maybe it was supposed to happen.”
Dusty Baker retired from managing after last season and he has been working as a special assistant for the Giants.