Nationals hiring Dusty Baker for manager post

The Washington Nationals have named a new manager and it’s Dusty Baker.

The Nationals had reportedly agreed to hire Bud Black last week, but CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported late Monday night that talks broke off and instead the Nationals had turned their focus to Baker.

And now Monday morning, the Nationals have officially announced Baker as their new manager.

“I am so pleased to welcome Dusty Baker to the Nationals family,” said general manager Mike Rizzo. “In getting to know Dusty and identifying what we wanted in the next on-field leader of our team, we are excited to have him on board.”

“Dusty’s experience as a winning player, coach and manager is vast and varied. We are excited to bring him to Washington and put his steady demeanor, knowledge and many years in the game to work in our favor. I think I speak for the entire organization when I say I am very much looking forward to working with him.”

Dusty Baker will soon be managing again. (USATSI)

Baker, 66, has taken his team to the playoffs seven times in 20 years of managing. He has five division titles and one pennant (the 2002 Giants). He also took the Cubs to within one game of their first World Series since 1945 and the Reds to the playoffs three out of four years after a 14-year drought.

Baker’s career record as a manager is 1671-1504. He had a winning record 12 of his 20 seasons.

In the Nationals, Baker will take over a talented team that has won two of the last four NL East titles but has been one of the biggest disappointments in the other two years. This past season, there were locker room problems and reports indicate by the end of the season that now-former manager Matt Williams had lost the locker room. Baker is known as a players’ manager, so he should solve the issue the reportedly aloof Williams had.

Baker has been out of managing for two seasons after being fired from his Reds’ job following the 2013 season, in which his club went 90-72 and lost the Wild Card in Pittsburgh. The Reds have gone 140-184 since, albeit with a less talented roster.

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