Nationals hire Dusty Baker as manager

The Washington Nationals have officially named Dusty Baker as their new manager, shutting down rumors that a deal with Bud Black was in the works. The team announced this morning that they signed a multi-year deal with Baker. The Nationals fired their previous manger, Matt Williams, after the 2015 team—the preseason favorite to win the NL East—failed to make the playoffs.

Baker comes to Washington with 20 years of managerial experience, six years as a coach, and 20 years as a professional baseball player. He has managed the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds and was a National League Manager of the Year in 1993, 1997, and 2000. Baker's 1,671-1,504 record makes him the second-winningest among active managers, and the 17th-winningest manager in MLB history. He is also one of only six managers ever to win a division title with three or more teams. This is his first managing job since being fired by the Reds in 2013.

As a player, Baker was an All-Star, Gold Glover, Silver Slugger, and played with the World Series champion Dodgers in 1981.

Nationals' President Mike Rizzo said of the new hire:

"Dusty’s experience, as a winning player, coach, and manager, is vast and varied. We are excited to bring him to Washington and put his steady demeanor, knowledge and many years in the game to work in our favor. I think I speak for the entire organization when I say I am very much looking forward to working with him."