Maybe Dusty Baker will marvel what his managerial profession would have appeared like had Jeremy Pena not gotten scorching for 10 days final 12 months. Possibly Sport 5 in opposition to the Phillies flips, possibly Dusty faces one other Sport 7, one other winner-take-all recreation to match the 2002 World Sequence, the 2003 NLCS, the 2012 NLDS, the 2017 NLDS.
However Dusty acquired his ring final 12 months, and he’ll journey off into the sundown a beloved “baseball man.” Which is truthful sufficient. Most everybody who has come throughout Baker has favored him. His former gamers are inclined to swear by him, and he’s all the time been obtainable to the press, which doesn’t damage how one is remembered.
Since Baker took over the Astros job within the wake of their dishonest scandal, it’s been mentioned that he provides the group an air of credibility after they shot it to items within the earlier years. Actually Baker’s longevity speaks to credibility. Although a little bit nearer look and skepticism may seep in. In spite of everything, he was Barry Bonds’s supervisor when his hat measurement doubled. He let the 2004 Cubs go into enterprise for themselves everywhere in the subject, whether or not they have been choosing fights with the broadcasters or making an attempt to select fights by themselves with total different groups or no matter they centered on, which definitely wasn’t profitable sufficient video games. When the Reds and Nats faceplanted, and so they all the time did, it was hardly ever Baker’s fault, in keeping with Baker.
However that’s okay now, even when his lineup selections within the ALCS, which was selected a knife’s edge, have been summary to be well mannered. Three playoff appearances, two World Sequence and received one. Stick round lengthy sufficient and everybody will assume and declare you have been all the time nice.
That’s the quirk about Baker’s managerial profession, maybe greater than another. His groups all the time received…simply not sufficient. And after they fell brief, he was often a number one trigger. However hardly ever do managers lead groups that win sufficient to try to attempt once more. Particularly with so many groups. Bobby Cox was simply with one staff. So has Dave Roberts.
Maybe that’s the sting. Baker has possibly essentially the most distinctive managerial profession, and too many confuse distinctive with nice. However that isn’t Baker’s drawback. He’ll be in Cooperstown quickly sufficient. That’s why it’s all the time greatest to avoid wasting one of the best for final.
Let the Juan Soto watch start
The Juan Soto rumors have began, with the Yankees apparently first by the door to satisfy with a salesman. Which did depart us this magnificence from Bob Nightengale, and we have to cherish these earlier than he goes again into hibernation for the winter:
Soto had a .893 OPS with the Padres, so no matter didn’t work didn’t have a lot to do with him. Who do you suppose will probably be first to criticize Soto’s upcoming $400 million contract that he’ll have greater than earned? Be curious to know why that will probably be.
This can turn into the winter’s largest story, because the Yankees shouldn’t be the one ones within the pool.
The crawling of the Bulls begins
-Sticking near house, the Bulls’ season began as a result of the NBA decreed they needed to play it. Regardless that nobody’s positive why, as everybody may be very positive that will probably be as near pointless as might be. Nowhere close to adequate to problem, nowhere close to dangerous sufficient to reset the entire staff. How do you sum that up in a single spotlight?
This is the reason my father instructed me to take every thing in rhythm in grade faculty. However then, the Bulls don’t actually have a rhythm.
Observe Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social
