Dusty Baker’s new memoir ‘Crossroads’ shares unique life, Sacramento friendships

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The book chronicles Baker's journey in baseball, from signing with the Atlanta Braves in 1968 against his father's wishes to being mentored by Hank Aaron, winning the 1981 World Series as a player, and capturing the 2022 World Series title as a manager.

A copy of "Crossroads," the new memoir by Dusty Baker, sits on a table at his home in Granite Bay on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The book chronicles Baker's journey in baseball, from signing with the Atlanta Braves in 1968 against his father's wishes to being mentored by Hank Aaron, winning the 1981 World Series as a player, and capturing the 2022 World Series title as a manager. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

PAUL KITAGAKI JR./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Stadium seats from Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, the Oakland Coliseum, San Francisco's Candlestick Park and Atlanta Stadium in Dusty Baker's collection at his Granite Bay home on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Stadium seats from Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, the Oakland Coliseum, San Francisco's Candlestick Park and Atlanta Stadium in Dusty Baker's collection at his Granite Bay home on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

PAUL KITAGAKI JR./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Dusty Baker wears the baseball glove he used during his playing career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics at his home in Granite Bay on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Dusty Baker wears the baseball glove he used during his playing career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics at his home in Granite Bay on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

PAUL KITAGAKI JR./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Dusty Baker picks plums from a tree in his garden at his Granite Bay home on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Dusty Baker picks plums from a tree in his garden at his Granite Bay home on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Baker's new memoir, "Crossroads," publishes later this month. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

PAUL KITAGAKI JR./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Dusty Baker wears the baseball glove he used during his playing career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics at his Granite Bay home on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Dusty Baker wears the baseball glove he used during his playing career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics at his Granite Bay home on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Baker's his new memoir, "Crossroads," comes out later this month. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

PAUL KITAGAKI JR./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

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Graham Womack, The Sacramento Bee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dusty Baker is retired, ostensibly, but there’s always something he’s doing. And on a hot day last week, what he was doing was picking plums.