Darren Baker spent much of his childhood around baseball, but Sunday was the first time he woke up knowing he was a major leaguer.
The second baseman, and son of two-time All-Star and longtime manager Dusty Baker, was added to the Washington Nationals’ roster when they selected his contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
Darren Baker said, “I didn’t need an alarm today,” as he had learned of his call-up on Saturday.
Baker made his MLB debut as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of a 14-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He got his first hit by singling to center on the first pitch he saw.
Baker’s first two calls were to his parents, who arrived in Washington from the West Coast early Sunday morning and made it in time for the Nationals’ series finale against the Cubs.
The 25-year-old, who was Washington’s 10th-round pick in 2021, hit .285 with 49 RBIs and 38 stolen bases at Rochester. He might also play some outfield while in Washington.
Washington manager Dave Martinez said, “He was brought up a baseball player. 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.”
Darren Baker was part of a memorable moment during Game 5 of the 2002 World Series when, as a 3-year-old bat boy while his dad managed in San Francisco, he was rescued from harm by J.T. Snow during a play.
Dusty Baker said, “That’s something he doesn’t even remember. 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.”
