When Dusty Baker was hired in the fall of 2007, I was as optimistic as Charles Dickens’ young Pip—I had great expectations. At first, I’d hoped the Reds would turn to interim manager Pete Mackanin, who had done a more-than-capable job righting the ship after Jerry Narron was handed his suitcase. Still, Baker—an outsider and a marquee name—would bring a gravitas to the Reds’ clubhouse and a leadership style that would have the respect of players and fans alike. Aaron Harang spoke for many:
“He knows how to help teams win and to get them in a winning state of mind.