Players seem eager to play for Baker

CINCINNATI -- The Reds' hiring of Dusty Baker as manager this weekend gave players someone they felt has both name recognition and credibility.

Baker's reputation as a players' manager has already preceded him.

"I heard about it last night. I think he's going to be a good move for us," said rotation ace Aaron Harang while at home in San Diego. "He's got an established track record of being successful. I think he's going to come in with his ways of doing things and get guys to play for him. He'll definitely get plenty of respect because of his past record."

Baker, who will be formally introduced on Monday afternoon, brings 14 seasons of managerial experience to the table. The skipper of the Giants from 1993-2002 and Cubs in 2003-06, has taken teams to the playoffs four times. He's also a three-time National League Manager of the Year and known for favoring veterans.

"That's awesome. He's obviously established and a great manager," said catcher David Ross from Tallahassee, Fla. "I've heard nothing but good things. Every time I saw him when he was with the Cubs, he knew who I was and went out of his way to be a good guy. He introduced himself to me and said, 'Hello.' As a player, you want a guy to communicate with and seem like he's one of the guys."

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo said that Baker's name was on the minds of some players near the end of the season as the clubhouse speculated who might manage in 2008.

"I thought he was going to get the job anyway. I kind of expected it," Arroyo said. "Glad to hear it. Dusty is well known for being a players' manager and a guy that still feels close to the game with a player's mentality. I enjoy that because they relate to what's going on in the locker room a little better."

Reds owner/CEO Bob Castellini and general manager Wayne Krivsky selected Baker over interim manager Pete Mackanin, who led the team to a 41-39 record after he took over from Jerry Narron on July 1.

"We had a really good second half with Pete," said Arroyo from his home in Brooksville, Fla. "I never thought he'd be the guy, not because he didn't deserve it, but because the mood was they wanted a guy with a name. I didn't think it would be Pete unless we went on a Colorado Rockies-like run of winning 20 of 21 and getting into the playoffs."

The Reds are seeking to end a 12-year postseason drought and seven consecutive sub-.500 seasons. Cincinnati was a contender under Narron in 2006 before finishing 80-82 and in third place. This season, the record dipped to a 72-90 fifth-place finish in the NL Central.

The hiring of Baker, who was signed to a three-year contract through the 2010 season, provides no guarantees of a turnaround. Much of the team's destiny will be controlled by how the players perform on the field and lead in the clubhouse.

"One person can't take us from where we were this year to where we need to be," Ross said. "But it's a piece of the puzzle and it can only help."