Longtime manager Dusty Baker rejoins Giants as special advisor

Dusty Baker is back where it all started.

Without a managing job after the Washington Nationals decided not to retain him over the winter, Baker has rejoined the San Francisco Giants as a special advisor, it was announced Monday, some 16 years after he was removed as their skipper.

In his new role, Baker will advise Giants chief executive officer Larry Baer, while also reporting directly to executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The 68-year-old Baker has been employed in baseball in some capacity since his playing career began in 1967, but is best known for his successful 22-year career as a manager. During his 10-year run as Giants skipper from 1993-2002, San Francisco made the playoffs three times, claimed the 2002 NL pennant, and accrued five seasons of 90-plus wins. His 840 wins are the third-most in franchise history; only Bruce Bochy has won more games since the Giants moved to the Bay Area in 1958.

Baker left the Giants after he lost the 2002 World Series to the Angels in seven games. He went on to manage the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and the Nationals, leading all of them to the playoffs at least once. His Nationals teams lost in the Division Series each of the last two seasons despite consecutive NL East titles.

In 22 years, Baker amassed a .532 winning percentage and 1,863 wins - a total that not only ranks him 14th all time, but is good for the second-most wins among skippers who aren't in the Hall of Fame. Baker's teams only posted losing records eight times.

Baker won two Silver Sluggers and made a pair of All-Star Games during his 19-year playing career with four teams, including a one-year stint with the Giants in 1984.