Dusty Baker is back in baseball.
The three-time NL manager of the year was hired by the Washington Nationals today to replace former manager Matt Williams.
Baker managed the Cubs from 2003-2006 and led Chicago to the brink of a World Series appearance in 2003 as the Cubs lost the NLCS in seven games.
He compiled a 322-326 record during his time in Chicago and is often criticized for the way he handled the Cubs’ pitching staff and for his contrarian views regarding on-base percentage.
Here’s how some in Chicago reacted to the Dusty Baker news:
Stephen Strasburg sees the Dusty Baker news. pic.twitter.com/AhwA2AayOM
— Nick (@NickSeam) November 3, 2015
Strasburg might throw 300 innings next year with Dusty Baker at the helm
— whitesoxdave (@barstoolWSD) November 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/Brian_Adams6/status/661537685580857344
@Nationals Dusty Baker? pic.twitter.com/t9RLXhsRIW
— Kyle Welch (@CoachWelch19) November 3, 2015
Strasburg might throw 300 innings next year with Dusty Baker at the helm
— whitesoxdave (@barstoolWSD) November 3, 2015
The Nationals hired Dusty Baker 😂😂 good luck
— Nick Marconi (@NMarconii15) November 3, 2015
What young pitching prospect's arm will Dusty Baker ruin when he lets him throw 130 pitches a game for a full season? #Prior #Wood
— Derek Kudjer (@koojababy) November 3, 2015
Mark Prior checks under his bed* at night for Dusty Baker
— Jeff Blomer 🇩🇪 (@jmblomer513) November 3, 2015
The Nationals are really going to offer Dusty Baker the job? To manage? Yikes.
— Born on Third (@BornOnThirdCubs) November 3, 2015
Though not everybody was hating on the hire:
Good for Dusty Baker. Happy for him
— nick (@burziyech) November 3, 2015
I mean Dusty isn't the perfect manager, but imagine the jerk who said this: pic.twitter.com/VKDz2MWxsU
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) November 3, 2015
Is Dusty Baker a good hire for the #Nationals?
— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) November 3, 2015
All stats via Baseball Reference.
