[Update 8:10 am ]The Nationals have officially announced Dusty Baker as their new manager, ending both their search for a Matt Williams’ replacement and any speculation that this was simply leverage against Bud Black.
Nationals hire Dusty Baker, not Bud Black, as manager
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Despite reports that the Washington Nationals were set to name former San Diego Padres skipper Bud Black as their next manager, that may not happen and former Reds, Cubs and Giants manager Dusty Baker is the favorite for the job, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
James Wagner of The Washington Post initially reported the Nationals were close to a deal with Black and expected to name him the manager soon. According to Heyman, the Nats were in talks with Black but maintained interest in Baker throughout the process.
Baker has not managed since being fired by the Reds following the 2013 season. He has managed for 20 seasons, compiling an 840-715 (.540) record. His teams made the playoffs seven times. Heyman notes that Baker’s reputation for managing stars well is a plus with the Nationals.
Black 58, managed the Padres for parts of nine seasons, going 649-713 (.477) during his tenure in San Diego. Black only had two winning seasons, winning 89 games in 2007 and 90 more in 2010, but his time in San Diego was also marked by change, with three different team owners, three team presidents, and four general managers.
The Nationals were preseason World Series favorites in 2015 after winning 96 games in 2014, but struggled to an 83-win season despite an historic season from outfielder Bryce Harper, the odds-on favorite for National League MVP and what was thought to be the strongest starting pitching staff in the game. Matt Williams was fired after just two seasons as manager, one year after being named NL Manager of the Year.
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