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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2002
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dusty Baker walked out of the visitors clubhouse at Edison Field carrying his 3 1/2-year-old boy, father and son uncertain of their baseball futures.
The Giants' 4-1 loss to Anaheim in Game 7 of the World Series on Sunday night could have been Baker's final hurrah in a San Francisco uniform, and for some of his key players, too. And as for his son, Darren, baseball officials probably will discuss whether there should be a minimum age for batboys because of his near accident at home plate in Game 5.
The Giants were so close to the franchise's first World Series championship in 48 years. Saturday, San Francisco held a 5-0 lead in the seventh before the Angels launched the biggest comeback by a team facing elimination.
Now that the season is over, the Giants could be different within days.
Baker, whose contract is up, hoped to hear a lot earlier that the Giants wanted him back.
"I don't know right now," he said after finishing his 10th season as Giants manager. "My gut right now, it's just heavy."
The 53-year-old Baker, who took the Giants to their first World Series since 1989, said early in the playoffs that he did not intend to "break the bank" -- meaning the $6-million a year Joe Torre got from the Yankees -- "but I want to be near the bank."
Many managerial jobs have been filled, but there still remain attractive openings with Seattle and the Cubs.
Second baseman Jeff Kent also must decide whether to leave San Francisco as a free agent.
And general manager Brian Sabean will be awaiting a call from owner Peter Magowan to work out a new deal. Magowan is leaving the managerial decision to the GM.
If Baker leaves, it would be the end of an era that began when he arrived in San Francisco before the 1993 season. He led the Giants to 103 wins that season, but they didn't make the playoffs.
The Giants won the NL West in 1997 and 2000 but didn't win a playoff series until his team knocked off Atlanta and St. Louis to reach this World Series.
The likable Baker would be missed for the way he handled personalities in the clubhouse, allowed players' sons to run around the dugout and for his friendly interaction with fans.
"The guy has meant so much to the city, the area, the last 10 years of managing its ballclub," pitching coach Dave Righetti said. "He's brought a lot of spirit. The organization has definitely prospered because of Dusty Baker. If that day comes (when he leaves), which I'm truly honest I don't know, it would be very sad."
Kent, the 2000 NL MVP, could be one of the top free agents after prospering for six years in San Francisco.
Closer Robb Nen, third baseman David Bell, rightfielder Reggie Sanders and centerfielder Kenny Lofton also could leave via free agency.
"Guys realize what it took to get to this point," Bell said. "We wanted it really bad and we have to make sure we get another chance. A lot of players don't know where they're going to be. I hope the best for everybody."
GRUMPY BONDS: It's hard to imagine a hitter having a more dominant World Series than Barry Bonds, who set five individual records and tied three.
It's also hard to imagine a more testy or fruitless postgame interview than the one Bonds had after Game 7.
Bonds started the brief session by rebuking a cameraman: "Chill. Not that close, dude. Back up or I'll snap."
On his feelings about coming so close to a championship, he said: "It's tough every year. This is no different."
On how the Angels successfully pitched to him Sunday: "I went 1-for-3 with a walk. Doesn't seem like a bad game, does it? What do you want from me?"
On how the team dynamics would change if Baker leaves: "Ask Dusty. Ask the owners. I don't control that situation."
Bonds, 38, excelled in all that he could control. He homered four times and hit .471 (8-for-17) with a .700 on-base percentage.
Did it bother him that this might have been his best chance to win a championship?
"Stupid question," he replied.