John Matthews
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — He led his team to back-to-back division titles, but bowing out of the playoffs in the first round in consecutive years has cost Dusty Baker his job as Manager of the Washington Nationals.
The team released this statement Friday afternoon:
Today, the Washington Nationals announced that Dusty Baker will not return as manager of the club in 2018. The Lerner family, on behalf of the entire organization, would like to thank Baker for his two years in the dugout. He led the team to the first back-to-back division titles in our history and represented our club with class on and off the field. We wish him the best going forward.
The contracts for the Major League coaching staff have also expired. The Nationals’ search for a new manager will begin immediately, and we will work with that person to build his coaching staff.
General Manager Mike Rizzo is expected to explain the team’s decision in a conference call Friday afternoon.
Baker spent two years with the Nationals, compiling a 192 – 132 record. His teams easily won the National League East division crown both years, but many in baseball felt the team’s talent level should have taken them beyond a division crown and to challenge for a World Series title.
The Nationals have now failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs in four of the past sis years under three different managers.
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