UPDATE (January 4th 2018): Bakery has rejoined Team Dignitas as brand ambassador and product manager.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE (November 15th 2017):
One of the UK’s most successful esports players in recent years is leaving Team Dignitas’ Heroes of the Storm team.
James “Bakery” Baker has stepped down from the active roster to make an ambitious move into other areas within esports.
As team captain for Dig, he helped his side become one of the most decorated in Heroes of the Storm over the past few years. They’re four-time European champions, one-time Western Clash winners and have reached the final of two global championships.
I am stepping down from @TeamDignitas and I will not be playing in Phase 1 of #HGC.https://t.co/IPnfmZhTQe pic.twitter.com/FOMyGUtgyL
— James Baker ?? (@BakeryHeroes) November 13, 2017
Bakery said in a news post on the Dig website: “There are so many things that I want to do, and I believe that if I commit to them then I can do them.
“I want to continue being a player, I want to be a caster, I want to coach a team, I want to manage a team, I want to work on the HGC at Blizzard, I want to work on balance at Blizzard, I want to help run an esports organisation, and honestly everything else in between.
“I want to do something with my life. I want to make people proud, and I want a legacy. At this time I am keeping every option I can open, and am actively pursuing every opportunity I can.”
James “Bakery” Baker
“This was an incredibly hard decision for me to make, but there are a multitude of factors that I won’t go into that mean continuing to play without a break is not an option.
“I want to do something with my life. I want to make people proud, and I want a legacy. At this time I am keeping every option I can open, and am actively pursuing every opportunity I can.”
Bakery is now trying his hand at casting – and is working on the Nexus Games broadcast this week.
Yesterday I was a professional player. Today I am a caster – one of the many hats I hope to wear in this next chapter of my life. Very excited to see what I can bring to the #NexusGames broadcast! pic.twitter.com/3XqWeEz9Ah
— James Baker ?? (@BakeryHeroes) November 14, 2017
He thanked many people and companies during his time at Dignitas, including president Michael “ODEE” O’Dell, Blizzard and his close teammate (and fellow Brit) Joshua “Snitch” Bennett, whom Bakery said he ‘had the journey of a lifetime’ with.
Snitch of course had some kind words to say back.
“It’s very hard to believe that it’s over, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. I’ll never forget all the trophies and matches we won together and the times that we’ve shared.”
Joshua “Snitch” Bennett, Team Dignitas
Snitch commented: “My time with James has been long enough that I think we created our own legacy, and at our peak we were two Brits flying the Dignitas flag and leading Europe.
“We’ve established so many incredible memories together that it’s very hard to believe that it’s over, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. I’ll never forget all the trophies and matches we won together, the times that we’ve shared both online and at events and even the fact that without you I’m not sure I’d be a part of Heroes today.”
I think the statement in the article says a lot about how I feel, but it feels appropriate to at least mention again how great my time with @BakeryHeroes has been – teammate, captain, but most of all, friend! pic.twitter.com/h3IioJ4e3Q
— Joshua Bennett (@SnitchHotS) November 13, 2017
In today’s rather volatile esports scene, leaving behind a position like captain for Team Dignitas is a brave move.
But having ambition and the drive to deliver it should be commended.
So good luck with whatever’s next, Bakery and thanks for all the Dig memories. Us at Esports News UK salute you.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
