Dusty Baker Revisits Dodgertown's Glory Days

The former Dodgers player and manager reflects on his time at the historic spring training complex

Mar. 2, 2026 at 7:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dusty Baker, the current manager of the Nicaraguan team in the World Baseball Classic, recently took a tour of the historic Dodgertown complex in Vero Beach, Florida, where the Los Angeles Dodgers held spring training for 60 years. Baker, who spent eight springs training with the Dodgers from 1976 to 1983, shared vivid memories of his time there, recalling stories about legendary players and coaches like Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, Hank Aaron, and Jackie Robinson.

Why it matters

Dodgertown holds a special place in baseball history as the first integrated spring training facility, where players of all races could train, live, and eat together. The complex, now known as the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, continues to serve as a hub for amateur baseball and softball development initiatives, with a focus on diversifying the game and providing opportunities for underserved communities, especially African Americans.

The details

During his tour, Baker reminisced about specific moments and locations within Dodgertown, such as the bullpen where he had a formative conversation with Koufax about the similarities between hitting and pitching, the swimming pool where he sat with Japanese slugger Sadaharu Oh and talked hitting, and the villa where he recalled his teammates pranking manager Tommy Lasorda. Baker also pointed out the numerous photos and memorabilia that still adorn the walls, keeping the Dodgers' legacy alive.

  • Baker spent eight springs training with the Dodgers from 1976 to 1983.
  • The Dodgers moved their spring training headquarters to Arizona after the 2008 season.

The players

Dusty Baker

A 19-year Major League veteran who later won more than 2,000 games as a manager, including one World Series title with Houston in 2022. He is currently the manager of the Nicaraguan team in the World Baseball Classic.

Sandy Koufax

A legendary Dodgers pitcher who mentored Baker and taught him about the similarities between hitting and pitching.

Tommy Lasorda

The longtime Dodgers manager who was the subject of a prank by Baker's teammates Jay Johnstone and Jerry Reuss.

Hank Aaron

A baseball legend who was mentored by Jackie Robinson and was close friends with Baker.

Jackie Robinson

The first African American player to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball, and the namesake of the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The moon was flickering in the pool water and the wind was blowing. As soon as the wind stopped, [the moon's reflection] looked like what the ball looks like, he says, when your mind is clear.”

— Dusty Baker

“I kind of lived my life through this. This was some of the best days of my career, some of the best days of my life. Growing up a Dodger fan, I dreamed of being a Dodger. … You have to seize every day because this is evidence how fast things can go by.”

— Dusty Baker

The takeaway

Dusty Baker's tour of Dodgertown serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history and legacy of the Dodgers organization, as well as the enduring impact of pioneers like Jackie Robinson who helped break down barriers and pave the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the sport.