Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr.is an American Major League Baseball manager and former player. He is currently the manager for the Washington Nationals. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, primarily with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. He helped the Dodgers to pennants in 1977 and 1978 and to the championship in 1981. He then enjoyed a 20-year career as a manager with the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and now Washington Nationals. He...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth15 June 1949
CityRiverside, CA
CountryUnited States of America
It was supposed to be a promotional thing, but it's hard to be out there and be good at it and not do something. It's too late now, but I'm sure they won't have any other promotions.
It was a very good meeting. We covered some good areas, we covered some problematic areas, and we realize the possible risk and I explained that to him as well.
It was a tough decision for him. I'm sure his country would love to have him. We both would love to have him. He's a heck of a player. He wrestled with this for a while. You want to represent your country but, at the same time, you want to make sure you're healthy for the season, too.
It was a tough day to be a third baseman.
It says a lot for experience. He's not doing any more than what his Hall of Fame career has indicated.
It's a combination of concentration and expecting the unexpected, and thinking along with your manager, thinking about the situation in the game,
It's great having his presence and having him in the lineup, just having him on the field.
It's not definite, but it's not very possible. I'm open-minded to changes, but that's usually a very accomplished hitter's spot. I never dreamed I'd be batting fifth in my rookie year behind Hank Aaron, either.
It's not a very pleasant situation, but it's here and it's real. This is a major blow. We'll play for him and play for us.
It's not about Kerry as much as it is about us. It's about where we are realistically and where he is now and to find out, when that time comes, the severity of whatever is in there. If it's nothing, we're pleased. If it's something, then we'll take care of it and give him ample time to rehab so he can start the season on time next year.
It's not about Kerry as much as it is about us.
It looked like he was out for a minute. At first, he was just there. Then he said he was OK, and wanted to get up.
It's better now than later. He's been working out real hard on his lower half all winter, so fortunately this is the time of year when he shouldn't be set back too far.
It was a privilege for me to manage one of the greatest players in the history of the game, so it will be tough to replace that personality when Barry does retire.