3 Sacramento locals prepare for baseball's biggest stage
Oct 24, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Shaun Holkko, sports editor
Houston Astros utility player Mauricio Dubón swings at a pitch while playing for the Sacramento River Cats. Photo courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Despite the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics missing the playoffs this season, Sacramentans still have a lot to look forward to with the 2022 World Series beginning this Friday, October 28.
Three Sacramento-area locals will be participating in this year’s Fall Classic, with two on the field and one in the dugout. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins stands on one side representing the 916. On the other side stands utility player Mauricio Dubón and manager Dusty Baker for the Houston Astros.
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Hoskins has played for the Phillies his entire career since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft out of Sacramento State. Before becoming a Hornet, Hoskins played locally at Jesuit High School in Carmichael. This is Hoskins’ first playoffs and World Series appearances as Philadelphia snapped an 11-year postseason drought this year.
Baker is back for more after reaching the World Series with Houston last year. After playing 19 years in the big leagues, Baker is in his 25th year as an MLB manager. He led the Giants to the World Series in 2002 and now the Astros to back-to-back appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Baker holds the record for most wins among managers who have yet to win a World Series. He went to Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks and still has a Sacramento residence to this day. His son, Darren, played at Jesuit until 2017 and was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
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Dubón has had two stints in Sacramento, both as an amateur and as a professional. After growing up in Honduras, Dubón moved to Sacramento as a 15-year-old to play baseball at Capital Christian High School in Rosemont. He was drafted in the 26th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He returned to Sacramento in 2019 to play for the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants, the Sacramento River Cats.
Regardless of who wins, Sacramentans have multiple individuals to root for in this year’s Fall Classic. The 2022 World Series begins Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 5:03 p.m. PST.
