Saturday, November 16, 2002
CHICAGO (AP) -- Dusty Baker was hired Friday to manage the Chicago Cubs, accepting one of baseball's most challenging assignments.
Baker takes over baseball's long-time losers less than a month after leading the San Francisco Giants to the World Series. Baker, a three-time National League Manager of the Year, agreed to a four-year contract, a deal thought to be worth between $14 million and $16 million.
Known for his dugout toothpick and his ability to relate to players, Baker spent 10 seasons with the Giants before departing last week following differences with San Francisco owner Peter Magowan, largely over who deserved the most credit for the franchise's success.
Baker replaces Bruce Kimm, the interim manager who was fired at the end of the Cubs' 67-95 season. Kimm had replaced Don Baylor, who was fired July 6 as Chicago got off to a horrible start and went on to its third 90-loss season in four years.
Chicago general manager Jim Hendry also interviewed Bob Melvin, Ken Macha, Buck Showalter and Fredi Gonzalez, but it was no secret Baker was the man the Cubs wanted and that's why they waited, to see if he would leave the Giants.
The Cubs will be Baker's biggest managerial test. They haven't won a World Series since 1908 and have made the playoffs only three times since 1945, their last World Series appearance.
Since 1945, they've had only 16 seasons at .500 or better. They haven't even managed back-to-back winning records since 1972.
But Baker is well aware of the challenge he faces. Asked about baseball's lovable losers, he's said the manager who got the Cubs to win would be "the mighty man of Chicago."