Oct. 14: Showalter and Girardi are set to interview with the Phillies today, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Baker’s interview will take place later this week.
Oct. 13: With the Phillies beginning the interview process for their next manager, the team is set to interview Dusty Baker for the vacant position later this week, per Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. Baker is currently serving as a special adviser to the Giants, who have granted Philadelphia permission to meet with Baker.
If the Phillies are seeking a manager with big-league experience, Baker surely fits the bill. At age 70, he comes with plenty of history to his name, having managed for 22 years and compiling a 1863-1636 overall record. If the Phillies were frustrated with Kapler’s approach to the game, Baker essentially represents his exact opposite.
He fits the trend of the names that have surfaced in the Phillies’ search for Kapler’s replacement. Between Buck Showalter, Joe Girardi, and now Baker, there’s a distinct pattern of traits that the organization seems to prioritize; namely, someone who can bridge the gap between “analytics and tradition.” That’s a reversal of the prevailing trend in Major League Baseball towards young, cheap, and inexperienced managers. And for a Phillies team that finds itself firmly in win-now mode, the list of candidates sends a clear message that owner John Middleton believes a seasoned managerial veteran can help his club secure a World Series win in the very near future.
For Baker, his Phillies interview will mark his first connection to an MLB managing job since the Nationals fired him after the 2017 season.
He’s previously managed the Giants, Cubs, Reds, and Nationals, winning an NL pennant in San Francisco, where he was thrice named Manager of the Year. He’s guided his teams to the postseason nine times throughout his career. The one thing missing from his timeless managerial career: a World Series title. With that in mind, there’s no doubt that Baker and the Phillies will be united in that goal.
Even so, it’s fair to question just how much interest Baker himself has in returning to an MLB dugout. He’s spent the last two seasons working as a special adviser in the Giants front office, and doesn’t seem to particularly miss the stress of handling a club’s day-to-day operations. And after more than 40 years spent as a player and manager, it would certainly be understandable if Baker was content to stay out of the business for good.
He’s so overrated
He was overrated 15 or so years ago but I feel like is pretty accurately rated these days. Noone is calling him a great manager but he is fine
Best 162 game manger , sucks in the playoffs
Dave Roberts is building a nice resume for that title.
Hahaha – wicked!
LMAO! He’s the Andy Reid of baseball!!
Insanely overrated.
I’m a Giants fan and I truly believe he cost the Giants two World Series – 1993 and 2002. Yes, the Giants didn’t make it to the playoffs in 1993, but just look at what he did on the last day of the year to make sure that didn’t happen. We all know about 2002.
He’s constantly given incredible teams. That’s why his record is decent. However, when it matters most and he has to actually manage, he blows it time and time and time and time and time again.
02’ You are correct,other than that,If Alex Gonzalez fields a Ground Ball after Bartman the Cubs go to the WS and in ‘93 the Giants won a 103 Games and didn’t make the Playoffs,the Braves were better.I would take him over some of these Managers today with the easier Job of the HR,KO,Walk Game with a Wild Card
It’s hard to dispute that the Alex Gonzalez was the more costly “mistake,” but Dusty ruined that Cubs team by “riding his horses.” He ha and most likely would continue to over use his pitchers, helping to contribute to his lack of playoff glory.
2002 was not Baker’s fault.
The Angels were simply 25 guys collectively playing over their heads. The fact the were so terrible in 2001 and 2003 gives some perspective. Every single player on the roster not only had a career year, but peaked in October. Francisco Rodriguez and John Lackey materialized from the minors and played like 10-year veterans. Guys like Adam Kennedy and Scott Spezio played like Mantle and Maris. It was destiny.
Did you not watch Game 6 of that World Series? It was completely Baker’s fault for taking out Ortiz (and on top of that giving him the game ball). Baker essentially destroyed his legacy in San Francisco in one game
Perfect fit for the Phillies lol everyone’s arm will fall off and no chance of success.
Moment of silence for aaron nolas arm.
LOL.
Bryce Harper must be elated by this news.. lol
Seems like it’d be a step backwards in terms of team approach under Baker.
Dusty while he hasn’t won the big game can motivate his players so that they have an excellent 162 game season. Look at his record and you will see his ability to get his teams to succeed. Similar to Dave Roberts.
jints1, I wrote mine before I read yours, but exactly like Dave Roberts. Great 162 game manager. Not so much after 162. Two different type games to manage, unfortunately for them.
One of the current equivalents to Bobby Cox.
Except Cox didn’t end his SP’s careers early.
That’s fair. Never could adjust his managing style to postseason, though.
Phils would take Roberts’ results over the last few years.
……And their Players too without success
They say 90% of what a manager does is invisible to fans. Dusty must be good at that invisible stuff.
He is really not a bad manager until he gets to the postseason LOL. Maybe the 8th time would be the charm.
Agreed though on Aaron Nola’s arm.
OMG! Why???
He’s a bad manager who happen to manage great players. I could win with the teams Baker was given.
Even the Reds? He’s the only manager to get them to the playoffs in 24 years and he did it 3 times out of his 6 years there
John wins
He had a near elite rotation with the reds and Joey votto at his peak. There was a period when the reds were exceptional
Come on, near elite? I picked a random year, 2010 (a year they won the central) and looked at the team. Bronson Arroyo and Cueto had solid seasons (not top 10 cy young type years) and the rest of the rotation was mediocre at best. The lineup was decent but not exceptional outside of Votto
I’m not some Baker fanboy, he has plenty of faults but let’s criticise him in real ways instead of making things up
In my opinion, he is the best Reds manager in my lifetime.
I doubt you could win with the teams Baker has managed
Hopefully they make new hires to bolster their strength and conditioning for their pitchers…
Who’s sore arms are you blaming Dusty Baker for?
People are still blaming him for Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Never mind the fact that when he was with the Reds in 2012, they were the only team that used only 5 starters all season long because NONE of them spent any tie on the DL. Some people don’t want facts to get in the way of their irrational anger and blame.
You don’t look at the damage during the years Dusty managed those pitchers, you look after the fact when all those extra miles catch up to them…Wood (already had issues but Dusty compounded them), Prior (could never return to the game after Dusty was through with him), Russ Ortiz, Jason Schmidt, Kirk Rueter, Arroyo, Cueto, Volquez, and the list goes on and on of guys that had arm trouble after the damage Dusty did by using them up as their manager.
Mark Prior had serious mechanical issues that led to his demise. Doesn’t really matter who would’ve managed him.
If Dusty Baker is hired their top relivers arm will fall off but they will win 90 plus games
drob, seranthony and arano (arguably 3 of their top 4) are already hurt lol
Love to see Dusty get that gig. All he does is win. Good guy
A team has to win enough games to get into the MLB playoffs. If Dusty can do that, why not sign him up…???
Dusty is a good win now type of manager. Been snake bitten in post season in his career.
Well, I’ll take this as a sign that they’re might be a chance that the Phillies would like to explore a more traditional approach which in my mind is a positive. As for Dusty himself, I like his shoot from the hip and candid non PC ways, Is he the right guy for the current situation? Probably not. Not a disciplinarian, which IMO, is something needed to fully transform the character of the current roster after two years of Kapler’s romper room clubhouse. Scioscia would definitely trump Baker if he really is interested in the job,
Interview? Yes. Hire? No.
Dusty = mgr
Bowa. = BC
Manual = hitting coach
And fourth for bridge
Searage = pitching Coach
I’ve always liked Dusty but feel that his time is passed. His style is out of date.
Good fit for Philly. They need an experienced manager, and some starting pitchers.
He is going to burn out nola’s Arm. Keep young pitchers away from him at all cost
Yikes. Good luck w that
*Inserts “Why God, why?!” Michael Scott Office GIF…*
He’s way to sensitive to manage in Philly
One thing you can count on with Dusty. He will give his starting pitcher the game ball before the game is over ala Game 6 of the 2002 WS.
Giving the game ball to the pitcher I’m the 6th inning, cost the Giants the 2002 World Series plain and simple. That’s why he’s never won in the post season since.
Thanks Dusty, we should have one more World Series in this decade.
This a thousand times this. When he comes back into SF everyone stands up and applauds. I’m the only guy sitting in his chair with his arms crossed muttering obscenities under my breath.
noooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Do it…I dare ya…Hahahaaa!!
This doesn’t look so good for Klentak, insofar as Middleton forced Kapler’s ouster and suddenly a 180-degree opposite of Klentak’s prior choice of managers is scheduled to interview.
That’s good news for the other 29 teams, Dusty will keep the Phillies the mediocre mess that they are. Nothing quite like taking two steps backwards hahaha
I just don’t think you can be an either/or type of manager in this era’s game. I believe it takes someone who is versatile and not just old school or straight analytics.
If i were an owner, i’d look for someone in their mid 40’s who checks a lot of boxes.
1. A seasoned minor league resume
2. Someone who is comfortable in English or Spanish
3. Someone who wasn’t a star player
4. Someone who played multiple positions
5. Someone who played on both good and bad teams
6. Someone with an even temper that isn’t a klutz with the media
7. Someone who is comfortable with both analytics and old school
8. Not someone looking at the job as a stepping stone
9. Prior time with the organization is not a must, but an advantage
10. Doesn’t have a Twitter account
11. Skin color means nothing
12. Willing and able to learn from mistakes
13. Doesn’t favor vets or contracts over winning
14. Open to learning from his coaches and players
15. Keep baseball matters inside the clubhouse
Ideally you’d find someone who checks all the right boxes, but no one’s perfect.
You just described Alex Cora
If i were an owner or GM/POBO and Cora checked those boxes, i’d hire him on the spot.
Well you must be the owner of the Red Sox.
Great list. #12 is pretty key. Joe Maddon’s downfall. Fell in love with his own brand.
Phils need to hire Girardi.
Best manager in this era no dount , screw you Harper
julio1221……
“And to be able to have the opportunity to play for Dusty, that desire and that mentality that he brings every single day to let us just have fun to let us enjoy this game, with all the rally caps and all the stuff were doing… He just lets us play and that’s what the game is all about… that’s where that comes from make baseball fun again, right there. And those are the things where you can go out on a daily basis enjoy the game, have fun and he lets us do that. There’s no other guy I’d want to be playing for right now.” ~ Bryce Harper
Well of course he’s gonna say that.
Did Werth, Max and others have to praise Baker when he was let go? You know there are other ways of viewing the world besides through cynical glasses.
Perhaps not but I doubt Harper would have said anything else regardless of what he actually thought.
I lowkey wish for more off-the-record statements to get put on blast like Wil Myers’ comments on Andy Green did last year.
Buck Showalter is a better fit for Philly. Really good managing the bullpen. Great with vet players. Could probably replace Klentak too eventually.
Baker is interviewing for a job that he might not be interested in taking? How does that make any sense?
He’s been fired by the teams mentioned. He may as well get fired by the Phillies
Man, leave this poor ol dude alone!! Let him hang out on the lake fishing and enjoying life.
Oh God
Not a Phillies fan but hoping for their sake that this doesn’t happen.
The zombie walks again!
Toothpick futures will rise!
In “Dusty We Trusty” was the phrase when he was managing the Cubs.
Does anyone know if there was a season before that had a larger market for managers?
Dusty Baker was a good manager who made mistakes at times, but was nowhere near as bad as people maintained. A narrative built that he destroyed Mark Prior’s arm — which Prior himself discounts — as if no other hard-throwing phenom ever saw his career derailed by arm injuries.
It’s an easy narrative, but as a non Nationals fan watching the team (I like in the DC area) back in the Baker years, I was impressed with him as a manager. Hope he gets one last shot, if he wants it
Good Question! I cannot think of one.
Cincinnati chapter of the Giants/Cubs/Reds/Nationals Dusty support group reporting.. while it’s true he will get you to 90+ wins and to the playoffs, peg it he WILL make some absolutely fatal error in judgment in the most crucial moment, like an absolute head scratcher, and cost the game and ultimately the series. Just ask Scherzer or Bailey, he yanked them while they were CRUIZING, leaving the bullpen to lose the deciding game.
Max Scherzer was on the Reds?
Arw you just pulling crap out of your butt? Which deciding game?
Yup. Like no mound visit to calm Prior down after the whole Bartman incident.
Um, the pitching coach went out to talk to Prior and the entire infield after the incident, and Prior seemed perfect calm getting ahead 0-2 on Rodriguez right afterwards. Had Alex Gonzalez not booted a ground ball, the Cubs likely escape with a 3-2 lead, and probably go to the World Series. But yeah, let’s blame Dusty for the players inability to make routine plays. Also, Alou has since stated he couldn’t have caught the ball even if the fan didn’t interfere, so perhaps he should get the blame for reacting the way he did, and then igniting the disruption among his team.
*sigh* mlb needs fresh blood not Dusty Baker
The last several years has seen baseball develop an influx of “fresh blood”, and it has led to a dramatic increase in separation between the haves and have nots, longer and more boring games, lower television ratings, and dwindling attendance.
Give me Sal Fasano.
No to Dusty. I have a much better plan:
Manager: Mitch Williams
Pitching Coach: Curt Schilling
Hitting Coach: Lenny Dykstra
LOL that staff just screams harmony
Throw Ricky Bo in there too as bench coach.
Dusty Baker gets you to the playoffs. Then he makes bad moves in the playoffs, to lose in the playoffs.
Exactly.
This Braves fan says yes please lol.
As a Braves fan, I want the Phillies to sign Baker.
Can’t wait for him to burn up all the Phillies arms like he did with Prior and Wood.
Confused why my comment wasn’t posted.
Bahahahaha
Hopefully the Phillies don’t clog up the bases for him. Down with OBP
Drunk all the time…
I love Dusty but when is Dykstra getting his interview?
Dykstra certainly has a diverse background and likely picked up some Spanish in prison.
“With that in mind, there’s no doubt that Baker and the Phillies will be united in that goal.”
I mean… duh!
Don’t do it. You’re gonna MASSIVELY regret this. This guy has no strategic value or common sense AT ALL.
“John Middleton expects to win a World Series in the very near future.”
So, why is he looking at Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter and Joe Girardi? 43 years managing between the three, with one World Series win.
All three have won when they had the horses. All three lost when they did not. Won’t make any difference who the Phillies hire unless Klentak pulls a few rabbits out of the hat and gets the new manager better players.
Right now, we have one reliable starting pitcher (Nola); a great catcher and right fielder and a couple of guys (Kingery and Hoskins) who could be really, really good or just average players.
Truth be told, Cigar Guy is gonna have to open up his checkbook again this year and spend more “stupid money” to attract guys like Cole and Rendon. If not, Klentak will be back at Filene’s Basement fiddling through other teams’ castoffs like he did with Smyly and Vargas.
I have zero confidence that Klentak has any clue about what he’s doing. The guy throws snake eyes every time he signs or trades for pitching (Starters ad Relievers, alike.).
Nobody has mentioned Dusty’s greatest error as manager. In the last game he managed, game 5 of the Nats’ playoff series against the Cubs, he could have challenged the umps’ rule interpretation on the crucial interference play… and he didn’t. The umps were wrong, which they later admitted, and the series was lost.
The batter hit the catcher in the head with a bat, a lethal weapon. (Haven’t they seen The Warriors?) Of course it’s a dead ball. No challenge from Dusty though.
Hmm salty …
Dusty Baker? Was Lasorda not available?
Making the rounds on all the washed up losers, I see.
Right. You whine and complain about Kapler, and now you’re crying about potential replacements. Is there anyone you’d actually like to see as manager, or are you just content to b*tch and moan about every possibility?
I just hope its not Buck. He’s truly a difference maker
Dusty is not a terrible manager, but i imagine there are enough better candidates available to fill every vacancy.
What makes Dusty such a terrible manager? Okay, he wasn’t won it all, but he’s won everywhere he’s been. The knock on him seems to be he gets his pitchers hurt. Um…who? Are we still talking about Mark Prior, the guy who had so-called “perfect mechanics” and would never get hurt? Look at the trend around baseball where the emphasis is on throwing as hard as you can with every pitch…what has happened with pitchers in recent years? Has the Klentak/Kapler regime produced more or less pitching injuries than the Amaro/Manuel? I think pitchers are being abused much more severely these days than anything Baker could do.
I think the first choice should be Showalter or even Sciossia, but Baker would not be a horrible choice.
They could probably dig up Lou Pinella and give him an interview too.
This is all for show. It was always going to be Buck Showalter. Baltimore connection and all that with McFailure.
Agree. He’s probably Klentak and McFail’s choice, but they want to throw in a few more interviews to make it seem like they made more of an effort. My top choice would be Girardi. This is about who Middleton wants though, even though they want to make it seem collaborative.
Reports are that MacPhail didn’t want to hire Buck in Baltimore, but got overruled by Angelos. Buck would be a good choice, though.
i think mbltr is confused, my sources say it’s baker’s toothpick,not him, actually being interviewed
I’ll be very happy if Girardi and Showalter end up anywhere. They deserve to be managing. I’m thinking Girardi to Cubs, Buck to Phills
Girardi is going to be the Phillie manager & I think Buck is gonna nail his Met interview. I just have a feeling he is going to be the Met manager.
With all this Angel opioid mess anybody think Maddon is rethinking the Angel job and may start looking hard at the Padre job.
Also Jeff Banister to the Pirates but Mark DeRosa would be a better choice and David Ross to the Cubs. If not Maddon than Ron Washington to the Padres.
Methany is a lock for the Royals whom I wonder with new ownership would be open to moving Sally Perez now. I think he would be the missing piece for the Braves.
With all the talk during Placido Polancos playing days about how one day he was going to be a manager I am surprised I haven’t seen his name as a candidate for the Phillies. If they are not dead set on a manager with experience, I can’t think of another guy who would be a better fit. He knows the organization, the fanbase, and the city. He was a true professional on and off the field. He’s bilingual. He gave fantastic ABs, and played stellar defense during his playing days. Wouldn’t it be nice to pass that knowledge down? I’d like to see him get an interview.
Sigh – Dusty Baker was not fired by the Nats. His contract was up and was not renewed. I’m not sure why the sports media can accurately report the same facts for Joe Maddon, and the Cubs, but not for the Nats.
Where’s Ozzie Guillen? Seriously, for the entertainment value alone he should at least be given consideration.
Please go back to Chicago Dusty…we love you here.
Doesn’t all of MLB fandom, outside of Philly, want the Phillies to lose every year after what Harper & Boras did to us last off-season?
What did they do to us? Sign late? So what. If he signed early what would have been talked about in March for the hot stove?
Many believe Harper and Boras had the Phillies bidding against themselves.
It could be a long Columbus Day for the front office in Philadelphia. Joe Girardi’s interview with the Cubs last week in Chicago reportedly lasted 8 hours. Perhaps John Middleton will just step in a play eeny, meeny, miny, moe with Buck and Joe.
I was thinking the same thing. Cubs usually have full day interviews but maybe that is not the norm?
The manager is not the biggest problem for the Phils, all these guys can do the job. The front office needs to get some top pitching and another great all around player this off season. Realistically they need to sign at lest 2 of Cole, Keuchel Wheeler, Wood and Odorizzi. Add 2 relief pitchers in Hudson, Rondon, Strop, Petit, and Otero. Sign or trade for a third basemen and outfielder. Rendon or Donaldson would be the best options at third and Ozuna in the outfield.
The Phillies should also interview Jim Leyland.