Dusty Baker’s run to a World Series title win was one of the several memorable sports stories in 2022, on and off the field.
One of the most respected people in baseball, the one thing missing from Baker’s resume: a World Series ring as a manager.
Baker finally got the elusive ring with the Houston Astros while erasing some of the taint of sign-stealing 2017 title in one of the best moments of the year in sports.
“Had this happened years ago, I might not even be here,” Baker said. “So maybe it wasn’t supposed to happen so that I could hopefully influence a few young men’s lives and their families and a number of people in the country through showing what perseverance and character can do for you in the long run.”
Baker won a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but had gone 25 years without winning one as a manager. He had been to the Fall Classic twice before without winning and was the winningest manager without a title before the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
“To be the team that was able to pull it off for him, I know how much it means to him and it means so much to us,” Astros pitcher Justin Verlander said.
Aaron Judge also made the headlines by breaking the American League record with his 62nd homer, leading to a record nine-year, $360 million contract.
There were several off-field stories that made headlines — Brittney Griner, Dan Snyder and the Commanders, Suns owner Robert Sarver — but Baker’s long-awaited title win wasn’t the only redemptive sports story in 2022.
On the courts:
— In the NBA, the Golden State Warriors regained their past magic and solidified their dynasty with a fourth NBA title in eight years, but first since 2018. Stephen Curry was again the catalyst, solidifying his claim as the greatest shooter in NBA history with another dynamic performance.
— In men’s college basketball, Kansas re-established its blue-blood status in college basketball by mounting the biggest comeback in national championship history, rallying from 16 points down to beat North Carolina for its fourth national championship. The win came after an epic Final Four matchup between Tobacco Road rivals North Carolina and Duke.
— In women’s college hoops, South Carolina did something no other team had been able to accomplish, handing UConn’s Geno Auriemma his first lost in 12 national title games.
— The veterans ruled most of the men’s tennis majors, with Rafael Nadal winning the Australian Open and French Open to stretch has Grand Slam record to 22 titles. Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon, but didn’t get a chance to play in Australia or the U.S. Open because of his vaccination status.
— Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz was the lone youngster among the Grand Slammers , breaking through to win the U.S. Open at 19. Iga Świątek won two Grand Slam titles in 2022, including a U.S. Open that saw the farewell of Serena Williams after 23 titles.
On the ice:
