MLB Awards: 2017 National League Manager of the Year
By David Hill
3. Dusty Baker: Washington Nationals
To the layman, it is easy to look like a great manager when one has some of the top MLB talent. Of course, there is more to it than that.
Sometimes, it takes a steady hand to guide that highly talented roster to the postseason. That is what the Washington Nationals have in Dusty Baker, a long time player who has now spent 22 years on the bench.
In his second season in Washington, Baker helped guide the team to a 97-65 finish, running away with the National League East. Even when Bryce Harper missed time, and with the early season bullpen woes, Baker helped keep the Nationals on track. He even managed to get a nearly full season out of Stephen Strasburg, a feat in its own right.
Of course, at this point in time, making the postseason is no longer enough for the Nationals. The team, and fanbase, want a lot more. Even with the excellent regular season, the 2017 campaign will be considered a disappointment if the Nationals do not make the World Series. If anything, the pressure is now on Baker to deliver.
The Washington Nationals had an excellent season despite their challenges. Sometimes, it just takes a veteran with a steady hand.