Dusty Baker, who has managed the Giants, Cubs and Reds, will be introduced Thursday as the Nationals' new manager, replacing his good friend, Matt Williams. The Nationals wanted an experienced manager and they got it: Baker has managed 20 seasons in the big leagues. Here's what you need to know about Baker: * Baker's given name is Johnnie B. Baker, but his mom gave him the nickname Dusty when he was a kid for an obvious reason: He was the type that was constantly playing in the dirt. *...

The journey to find the next Nationals manager seemed like a smooth ride, but eventually ended with heavy turbulence and a bumpy landing. Did the process expose further problems that interfere with success inside the Nationals organization? Certainly, there are concerns. But did the Nats eventually come away with the exact man to change the culture and lead a return to the postseason? Without a doubt. "Blessed and thankful to be back in the dugout for (the) Nationals and work for this first...

Taking some time today to check on a hot hitter in the Arizona Fall League, along with a few other notes: Swinging a hot bat: Once ranked as the Orioles' No. 10 prospect, shortstop Adrian Marin's stock has fallen a bit after he hit .232 and .238 the last two years at Single-A Frederick. But the 21-year-old Marin is on quite a roll right now for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. After batting .222 over his first seven games there, Marin has now put together four consecutive multi-hit games in...

If you were hoping for a quick resolution to Darren O'Day's pending free agency, you're in for a huge disappointment. If you thought the Orioles might be able to re-sign O'Day before he hit the open market, see above. Pretty much everything is subject to change, but right now the two sides aren't close to reaching agreement. I was told last night that "all is quiet." That's not to suggest that the Orioles haven't been in contact with agent Jeff Borris. They've had multiple...

The Orioles will play an exhibition game against the Phillies on April 1 at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Their final Grapefruit League game is March 31 against the Braves in Sarasota, Fla. They will squeeze in the exhibition against the Phillies, a day off and a workout at Camden Yards before opening the 2016 season on April 4 against the Twins in Baltimore. Rumors swirled that the Orioles would play their Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk after breaking camp, but that...

Bud Black is out. Dusty Baker, who was in the on-deck circle for the Braves the night Henry Aaron his 715th home run in April 1974, is in as the Nationals' new manager. It was a bizarre twist given that Black, the former Padres manager, reportedly was going to be the one that replaced Matt Williams. But on Tuesday morning, the Nationals made it official that Baker is their manager. Here's the question: Would Baker been available to the Nationals if the Reds had beaten the Giants in the...

What do you mean there's no more baseball? Another exciting season has come and gone, and while we look ahead to what will likely be a busy offseason for the Orioles, we'll also look back at some of the amazing plays and moments from 2015. Every offseason, we post one of our favorite clips of the previous season each Thursday in our #TBT series. And who better to kick off this year's series than Manny Machado? The third baseman, who turned 23 this season, was the only player in the major...

Following the disappointment of a year without playoff baseball in Washington, the Nationals' offseason has gotten off to a rocky start. The team finally hired a manager, announcing a multi-year deal with Dusty Baker after contract talks with Bud Black fell apart, apparently over compensation. The embarrassing situation is the latest for the Nationals after dealing with Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper fighting in the dugout a day after the team was eliminated from the postseason in late...

In a bizarre turn of events, the Nationals hired Dusty Baker as manager this morning, agreeing to terms on a multi-year contract. After a reported deal with Bud Black imploded, general manager Mike Rizzo turned back to Baker, who had seemingly lost out on the job six days ago. Baker's 1,671-1,504 managerial record in the majors ranks him as the 17th-winningest skipper in baseball history. The 66-year-old has been awarded National League Manager of the Year three times (1993, 1997, 2000). Baker...

The Washington Nationals named Dusty Baker as manager on Tuesday, agreeing to terms on a multi-year contract that makes him the sixth field manager in Nationals history. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Baker, 66, brings nearly 50 years of professional baseball experience to the Nationals, including 20 years as a Major League manager, six as a coach, and a 20-year playing career that was highlighted by 19 decorated seasons in the Major...