Dusty Baker Archives - Baseball Essential

The Houston Astros Should Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

Jan 28, 2021

Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

The Houston Astros need another outfielder, and an ideal option exists for them on the free agent market: Jackie Bradley Jr. Two expensive signings relative to the Astros have taken place this offseason: the...

Sadly, There’s No Photo of the First High-Five

Jeff J. Snider

Jan 18, 2021

Baseball History, Features, Los Angeles Dodgers

If the legends are to be believed, the high-five was invented on October 2, 1977. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Dusty Baker came into the final weekend of the season sitting on 29 home runs. Thirty homers w...

Nationals Parting Ways With Dusty Baker Is The Wrong Move

Tom Dorsa

Oct 22, 2017

Breaking News, Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

On Friday, the Washington Nationals announced that manager Dusty Baker will not be returning to the club after another National League Division Series loss, this time at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. Baker spe...

Blake Treinen Named Washington Nationals Closer

David Marcillo

Mar 30, 2017

Breaking News, Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker is known for being old-fashioned. He's known for being straightforward, for being by-the-book. Sometimes too much so, to the detriment of his teams and players. One thin...

What the Nationals taught me about gratitude

Alex Yalen

Sep 28, 2016

Features, Washington Nationals

After the end of the Washington Nationals' drama- and disappointment-laden 2015 season, I promised myself that whatever happened in 2016, I would simply be grateful for a winning season. That, of course, was an...

Re-tooled Nats Having Productive Spring

Alex Yalen

Mar 28, 2016

Opinions & Predictions, Spring Training, Washington Nationals

With the obvious caveat that "it's only Spring Training," Washington has looked awfully promising in their first twenty games of the Dusty Baker Era. The offense is shaping up to be dangerous. The pitching has ...

Five Storylines to Watch at Washington Nationals Spring Training

Joshua Sadlock

Feb 20, 2016

Features, Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

Credit: Greg Fiume / Getty Images North America Things look a little different this year as the Washington Nationals open spring training. There's a new man steering the ship, as Dusty Baker, a player's man...

Washington Nationals: Offseason Report Card

Joshua Sadlock

Feb 16, 2016

Features, Headlines, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

Credit: Jonathan Newton / Washington Post Coming off a disappointing 83-79 season, the Washington Nationals approach a critical year in their window of contention. The offseason was one of change, as a new ...

Five Things that Must go Right for the Nationals to Make the Playoffs in 2016

Joshua Sadlock

Jan 30, 2016

Features, Headlines, National League, National League East, Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

Credit: Kevin C. Cox / Gettty Images North America Last winter, it seemed that there was very little reason to actually play out the 2015 season. The Washington Nationals were going to win the World Series....

Brandon Phillips, and building a better infield

Alex Yalen

Dec 19, 2015

Features, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions, Washington Nationals

Let's assume for the sake of argument that Brandon Phillips has waived his no-trade clause and is reunited in Washington with his former manager, Dusty Baker. He's not the hitter he once was, nor is he the fiel...

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