Darren Baker, Dusty’s son, getting called up by Nationals 22 years after becoming World Series storyline

It’s been 22 years since Darren Baker was part of a memorable moment during the 2002 World Series. More than two decades after he became an unintentional postseason highlight as a 3-year-old, Dusty Baker’s son will be called up to the majors by the Washington Nationals when MLB rosters are allowed to expand on Sunday.

Baker, now 25, is a second baseman and outfielder who hit . 285 with a . 688 OPS, 20 doubles, two triples, 49 RBIs and 38 stolen bases with Triple-A Rochester this season. He was drafted twice by the Nationals, first in 2017 out of high school as a 27th-round pick, then in the 10th round out of UC Berkeley.

For those who don’t remember or weren’t old enough to remember, Dusty Baker’s son was a batboy for the San Francisco Giants when they played the then Anaheim Angels in the World Series. During the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 5, Kenny Lofton hit a deep triple to right field.

Baker stepped too close to the plate as runners were scoring. In danger of being run over by professional athletes, Giants first baseman JT Snow picked Baker up and pulled him out of harm’s way in one of the most poignant moments ever seen on a baseball field.

As a result, MLB instituted a rule that all bat handlers must be at least 14 years old. That may have been young Baker’s baseball legacy until he progressed through the Nationals’ minor league system and earned a promotion to the majors.

It’s unclear exactly where Baker will play in the Nationals’ lineup, as youngsters Luis Garcia Jr. (.292, .784 OPS) will man second base and James Wood (.279, .801 OPS) will fill in in left field. He’ll likely play center field and designated hitter, but his positional versatility should allow manager Dave Martinez to slot him anywhere in the lineup when someone needs rest or a left-handed bat with speed is deemed necessary.