MLB roundup: Baker agrees to two-year extension with Reds
The Cincinnati Reds and manager Dusty Baker agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.
"In Dusty's five seasons here, he's taken us to the postseason twice and has proven he can lead our teams to championship-caliber play on the field," Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement. "He's the right manager to continue the building process that will take us deeper and deeper into the playoffs in the future."
The Reds were eliminated from the National League playoffs by the San Francisco Giants last week after winning the NL Central division with 97 victories.
Baker, 63, joined Bill McKechnie and Sparky Anderson as the only managers to lead Cincinnati to multiple playoff appearances. Baker is 419-391 since joining the Reds in 2008. He has 1,581 wins over 19 seasons as a manager for the Giants, Chicago Cubs and Reds. That ranks him 19th all-time and second among active managers.
Baker missed 11 games in September after being hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat and had a minor stroke. He returned for the final three games of the regular season and the playoffs.
---The Boston Red Sox are interviewing New York Yankees bench coach Tony Pena for their managerial job Monday, ESPN Boston reported.
Pena is the second candidate to interview since the team fired Bobby Valentine after one season. Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach interviewed in Boston on Friday.
San Diego Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus and Baltimore Orioles third-base coach DeMarlo Hale are also scheduled to be interviewed this week, according to WEEI.com.
---Yankees manager Joe Girardi attended the funeral of his father, Jerry Girardi, on Monday in Peoria, Ill.
Jerry Girardi died Oct. 6 at a residential treatment center in nearby Metamora, Ill., at age 81.
Monday was an off day in the American League Championship Series, which the Tigers lead 2-0.
