Baker and the incredible story of how he came to lead Nicaragua
Baker considers Nicaragua the biggest challenge of his career and at the same time has learned a lot from the players and its people
Port St. Lucie — Marvin Benard, former San Francisco player at the time Dusty Baker He was the manager, he had been inviting him to visit Nicaragua for three years. The idea was not related to baseball at all. I wanted to take him fishing, to sail a boat along the Pacific beaches of that country.
George Santiago, current manager of the Nicaraguan national team and friend of Melissa Baker for almost 50 yearshad been talking to her for months about the possibility of persuading her husband to take on one last adventure on the Nicaragua bench in the World Classic.
The challenge was not easy. Not only did he have to fall in love with the project, but his health had been hit by different problems over the years: in the winter of 2001, when he was 52 years old, he discovered prostate cancer during a routine check-up; in 2012, during his time with the Cincinnati Redssuffered a minor stroke; In addition, two pacemakers had been placed in his heart. So it also depended on the medical evaluation. Baker did not want to venture into an experience in which wear and tear would deteriorate his health.
All that changed during a dinner at the beginning of 2025. Benard asked him the question directly: “Wouldn’t you like to lead Nicaragua?”While Baker was thinking, the former baseball player showed some photos of Nicaragua to Melissa, who was delighted and eager to travel. Baker didn’t say no, nor did he say yes, but he asked for two days to think about it.
Forty-eight hours later, after praying and reflecting on his decision, he called Benard to confirm that he accepted the position as Nicaragua’s manager in the World Classic.
Baker, a manager touched by fans
Dusty Baker’s voice breaks a little when he remembers the words of a Nicaraguan fan before heading to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. “I tell you that I am not the Messiahbut a fan told me: ‘we know that you are not the messiah, but you bring hope to the country,’ and that touched my heart a lot,” he commented.
For almost a month he not only dedicated himself to training the Nicaraguan team in Managua, but also visited different cities, greeted fans, received tributes, enjoyed the gastronomy and was treated like a king.
“I learned that they are very good people, they give you everything they have even if they don’t have much. They are kind and sensitive, they walk together, they put their hands on each other and they have a very good heart,” is how he described the Nicaraguan.
Someone like Baker, who won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1981“the biggest challenge of his career.”
“Yes, this is my biggest challenge as a manager. I usually know what the opponent, the pitcher, the manager, the players are like and I do a lot of studies, but I don’t know what opposition I have and some of the players I don’t know. But I have faith and, definitely, it is my biggest challenge,” he explains.
The change in baseball mentality in Nicaragua
Pitcher JC Ramírez played six seasons in the Major Leagues and was a teammate of Shohei Ohtani when it came to Los Angeles Angels. He is currently one of the leaders of the team and says that Dusty Baker has revolutionized the mentality of the Nicaraguan player.
In 2014, Nicaragua defeated Dominican Republic in the semifinals of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz. At that time, the manager was Noel Ares, considered one of the most respected in the Central American country. After the victory, Nicaragua would play Cuba for the gold.
“I was surprised that the talk after the victory was one of conformism. He told us to feel proud, that we had secured the silver, that we were winners.” Nicaragua lost 9-3 in the final against Cuba.
“Baker makes us believe that we can do great things and tells us anecdotes about legends like Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and other stars he met. He is a Major League player,” adds Ramírez.
“Dusty is direct. He has great communication,” he says. Erasmo Ramirezwho has 14 years of Major League experience and is designated to start against the Netherlands.
“What he says he does. The focus on preparation, being on time; if you’re not there, we’ll leave you there. From there the positive and winning mind begins. If someone is down, don’t be ashamed to say: ‘You’re screwing up—-. We have to do this, we are a team and we must get up,'” he comments.
Mark Windsplayer of the New York Metsdescribes him as a wise person. “It tells us: play hard, work hard, stay focused and take this seriously.” While Ronald MedradoNicaragua’s first starter against Dominican Republichighlights that “between jokes he also gives us the message. He knows how to connect.”
Baker will turn 77 in June. He is in charge of a team that lost all its games in the last World Classic, but that is beginning to improve, beginning to believe a little. During the loss against the Mets in the exhibition games they hit two home runs and, although Baker is not a messiah, he will try to be as similar as he can to forge a miracle.
