Who is Dusty Baker Wife? Know Everything About Her

Johnnie B “Dusty” Baker Jr., born on June 15, 1949, is an American who used to play and manage in Major League Baseball. He was an outfielder and spent 19 years in the league.

He’s best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

While with the Dodgers, he made it to the All-Star game twice, won two Silver Slugger Awards, and won a Gold Glove Award. He was also the first person to win the NLCS MVP, which he got in the 1977 National League Championship Series. He played in the World Series three times, and his team won it in 1981.

Fans have been curious to know more about Dusty Baker wife or girlfriend. Let’s take a deeper look into his personal life to know more:

Dusty Baker’s Relationship Status: Is Married

Dusty Baker, once a Major League Baseball player, is now the manager of the Houston Astros, the team that won the 2022 World Series. He’s been married two times. His first wife was Alice Lee Washington, and they got divorced in 1993. He then married Melissa Esplana in 1994, and they are still together.

Also Read: Ariel Helwani Wife

Dusty Baker’s Current Wife in 2024: Melissa Esplana

Melissa Esplana, known for being a socialite and a homemaker, prefers to stay out of the media’s eye while supporting her husband’s career. She was born on February 21, 1961, in San Francisco. In college, she focused on English and literature.

Melissa Esplana’s Family Background

Melissa keeps her family background and details about her siblings private. She comes from a multiracial background, with Caucasian roots, and grew up in a devoted Christian family.

She was raised in San Francisco along with several siblings, but their names and other details haven’t been shared publicly.

Melissa Esplana’s Education

Melissa Esplana pursued English and literature in college and is known as a socialite and homemaker.

Dusty Baker and Melissa’s Wedding 

Dusty and Melissa began dating in 1993 after meeting at a local restaurant in San Francisco. They got engaged in 1994 and tied the knot on November 27, 1994. The couple has been together for over two decades and shares a son, Darren, who has followed in his father’s footsteps to become a baseball player.

Also Read: Deon Cole Wife

Dusty Baker’s Ex-wife: Alice Lee Washington

Dusty Baker and Alice Lee Washington got married in May 1970 after meeting at Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, California. They had a daughter, Natosha, born on September 29, 1979. 

Dusty was a professional baseball player, playing for teams like the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics from 1968 to 1986. He was known for being a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, and a World Series champion. 

However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1993. The exact reasons for their split aren’t publicly known, but it’s suggested that Dusty’s busy schedule and constant travel played a part. 

Dusty Baker’s Children

Dusty Baker has two kids, Natosha and Darren. Natosha, born on September 29, 1979, is from his first marriage to Alice Lee Washington. They divorced in 1993. She works as a graphic designer at Baker Family Wines, her dad’s winery in West Sacramento, California. Natosha is married and has a son named Nova Love Smith.

Darren, born on February 11, 1999, is Dusty’s son with his second and current wife, Melissa Esplana, whom he married in 1994.

Like his dad, Darren is into baseball. He played for the University of California, Berkeley, and in 2021, he received the California Men’s Tom Hansen Award, an honor for the top senior male student-athlete in the Pac-12 Conference. That same year, the Washington Nationals picked him in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.

Summing Up

Dusty Baker, once a player in Major League Baseball (MLB), now manages the Houston Astros, who clinched the 2022 World Series. He has two kids: a daughter, Natosha, from his first marriage to Alice Lee Washington, and a son, Darren, from his second marriage to Melissa Esplana. 

After divorcing Alice in 1993, he married Melissa in 1994. Dusty’s career, both as a player and a manager, has been marked by numerous awards and championships. Additionally, he runs a winery business called Baker Family Wines. He’s widely regarded as one of the most esteemed and influential personalities in baseball history.

Also Read: Brandon Walker Wife

FAQ’S