For many Major League Baseball fans, the 2002 World Series will be remembered for the Anaheim Angels taking down the San Francisco Giants in seven games. After all, it was an exciting, back-and-forth series with plenty of star power, including Barry Bonds. However, for several others, it will never be forgotten for a play that didn't show up in the scorecard.
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In Game 5 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, the Giants absolutely clobbered the Angels, 16-4, to take the series lead in the Fall Classic. It was never really close, but the floodgates completely opened in the seventh inning, and that's where an unforgettable moment happened.
Giants first baseman J.T. Snow saved a 3-year-old bat-boy from getting trampled and potentially hurt. He was the unquestioned hero of the day.
J.T. Snow Saved Darren Baker at Home Plate
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With one out in the seventh inning, and runners on second and third, Giants outfielder Kenny Lofton drilled an off-speed pitch off the wall in right center. Snow, who was on third, trotted home, and David Bell, coming from second, was on his heels. The play resulted in a two-RBI triple for Lofton.
None of that sounds weird, right? Well, it was.
As Snow was crossing home plate, Darren Baker, the 3-year-old son of Giants manager Dusty Baker and a team bat boy, came from the dugout and was near the action to pick up Lofton's bat.
Bell was coming in hot. So Snow grabbed the boy and picked him up so he wouldn't get hit.
"Thank goodness that J.T. Snow was aware and got Darren Baker out of the way. Goodness," Fox broadcaster Joe Buck said.
It could have ended horribly, but Snow was there to save the day.
Where is Darren Baker Now?
After a successful high school career at Jesuit and being drafted in the 27th round of 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Washington Nationals, Darren Baker signed to play NCAA college baseball for the California Golden Bears.
As a true freshman, Baker started 42 games. He batted .273 with one home run, 23 RBIs and five stolen bases as the team's second baseman.
Baker followed his debut campaign up by becoming a better hitter, batting .306 with 21 stolen bases and earning Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors at second base last year.
Unfortunately, his junior year was cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak and pandemic, but it's safe to say Dusty Baker's son has become a solid baseball player.
A lot has changed since that night in the Bay Area back in 2002. Darren Baker was just three years old. But it will be impossible for anyone to forget such a classic moment with Snow, who now works for the Pac-12 Network.
This post was originally published on March 13, 2020.
