Dodgers: Ranking the Top 5 left fielders in franchise history

Best Dodgers left fielders: 2) Dusty Baker

Although he is perhaps best known for managing the rival Giants in the 90’s, Dusty Baker had quite the career with the Dodgers as a player. In fact, Baker grew up a Dodger fan and idolized Tommy Davis.

After developing a reputation for being an RBI machine during his eight years in Atlanta, Dusty found himself as the regular center fielder for the Dodgers in 1976.

After a paltry season where he totaled a whopping four homers in 112 games, Baker slid over to left and rediscovered his power stroke in 1977, rebounding with 30 homers, 86 RBI, and an .876 OPS. His 30th homer was particularly significant for two reasons: firstly, the Dodgers became the first ever team to have four hitters hit 30 home runs in a season (Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Reggie Smith were the other members of the home run quartet). The notoriety of Dusty’s homer didn’t stop when he circled the bases either. Baker is also credited with co-inventing the high-five with Glenn Burke in commemorating his historic blast.

Historic and celebratory milestones aside, Dusty Baker remained a steady contributor until going off to San Francisco in 1984. He was an All-Star in 1981 and 1982, and won the World Series in ‘81.

Overall, Baker finished his Dodger career with a .281 average, 144 homers, 179 doubles, and 585 RBI, and was an integral part of several playoff teams.