Dusty Baker wants to manage U.S. in World Baseball Classic
Reds skipper Dusty Baker says he'd one day like to lead Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, reports CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler.
Baker, much like Joe Torre and Tommy Lasorda before him, doesn't want to helm the U.S. team until he's done with managing the Reds. Baker also acknowledged that the recently retired Tony La Russa would seem to be next in line for the job.
Assume, then, that La Russa skippers the U.S. in 2017 and then Baker gets the nod for 2021. He'd be 71 years of age in 2021, or just a bit younger than Torre was this time around. So it's certainly plausible from that standpoint.
Baker the manager is a divisive figure, and while I disagree with much of what he does on a micro level, there's no disputing the success he's had. In 19 full seasons as a big-league manager, Baker has notched 11 winning campaigns, five division titles, six playoff berths and one pennant. As well, he's been named NL Manager of the Year on three different occasions.
On another level, it's not like Baker, when it comes to the U.S.'s performance in the WBC, is going to ruin a good thing.
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