Players Believe Dusty is Right Man for the Job

Fans of the Cincinnati Reds had plenty to boo this past season, and some believe that the hiring of Dusty Baker to manage the club deserves similar treatment. But many former and current players insist it was a smart move. Reds announcer Jeff Brantley, who pitched for Baker in San Francisco, said he'd "play for Dusty anytime," according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The critics believe the three-time National League manager of the year leaves pitchers in games too long, pointing to injuries suffered by some top hurlers on both the Cubs and Giants under Baker. Current Reds ace Aaron Harang isn’t concerned about those problems and says that peers tell him “guys really like playing for him.” Baker inherits a team that finished fifth in the NL Central in 2007. (More Dusty Baker stories.)