ryno4ever
Jan 25th 2007, 11:56 am
Baker's ESPN job has out for managing
By Mark Gonzales
Tribune staff reporter
January 24, 2007, 7:39 PM CST
An invigorated Dusty Baker confirmed Wednesday that he has finalized a two-year contract with ESPN.
"It's a great opportunity to take my experiences and knowledge as a player and manager and put it into broadcasting," said Baker, whose contract wasn't renewed by the Cubs after four seasons. "A number of other managers—Lou Piniella, Bob Brenly, Larry Bowa and Buck Showalter—have taken this route and shared their perspective on things. I'm excited about this partnership."
Baker, 57, has a clause in his contract that allows interested teams to contact him as a managerial candidate. Baker's contract calls for him to serve as a studio analyst in Bristol, Conn., and on the West Coast, as well as for him to work 10 regular-season games and the postseason.
He also will work the Little League World Series, an assignment he relishes.
Baker posted a 1,162-1,041 record in 14 seasons (nine winning years) with the Giants and Cubs, earning three National League Manager of the Year honors.
But despite winning the 2003 NL Central title and posting winning records in two of four seasons with the Cubs, Baker was dismissed in the wake of injuries and chaos the last two seasons.
"I'm going to be myself," said Baker, who has served as an analyst for ESPN in the past. "I'm going to call the game the way I see it, but I understand how tough the game is to play and how it is to be ripped.
"But I know as a manager that you're going to make decisions that leave you open to being second-guessed. This is 39 years that I've been in the game. I've seen a lot, but I haven't seen it all."
The Cubs' $300 million-plus commitment this winter wasn't lost on Baker, who was relegated to working with a brittle starting rotation during his final two seasons.
"Looking back, it makes you a little distraught," Baker said. "They made a lot of moves. It makes you wonder, but you get over it. I like Lou. There are a lot of guys I'm pulling for over there."
chicagosports.com (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070124dusty,1,476224.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines)
By Mark Gonzales
Tribune staff reporter
January 24, 2007, 7:39 PM CST
An invigorated Dusty Baker confirmed Wednesday that he has finalized a two-year contract with ESPN.
"It's a great opportunity to take my experiences and knowledge as a player and manager and put it into broadcasting," said Baker, whose contract wasn't renewed by the Cubs after four seasons. "A number of other managers—Lou Piniella, Bob Brenly, Larry Bowa and Buck Showalter—have taken this route and shared their perspective on things. I'm excited about this partnership."
Baker, 57, has a clause in his contract that allows interested teams to contact him as a managerial candidate. Baker's contract calls for him to serve as a studio analyst in Bristol, Conn., and on the West Coast, as well as for him to work 10 regular-season games and the postseason.
He also will work the Little League World Series, an assignment he relishes.
Baker posted a 1,162-1,041 record in 14 seasons (nine winning years) with the Giants and Cubs, earning three National League Manager of the Year honors.
But despite winning the 2003 NL Central title and posting winning records in two of four seasons with the Cubs, Baker was dismissed in the wake of injuries and chaos the last two seasons.
"I'm going to be myself," said Baker, who has served as an analyst for ESPN in the past. "I'm going to call the game the way I see it, but I understand how tough the game is to play and how it is to be ripped.
"But I know as a manager that you're going to make decisions that leave you open to being second-guessed. This is 39 years that I've been in the game. I've seen a lot, but I haven't seen it all."
The Cubs' $300 million-plus commitment this winter wasn't lost on Baker, who was relegated to working with a brittle starting rotation during his final two seasons.
"Looking back, it makes you a little distraught," Baker said. "They made a lot of moves. It makes you wonder, but you get over it. I like Lou. There are a lot of guys I'm pulling for over there."
chicagosports.com (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070124dusty,1,476224.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines)