Reds' Pitching Woes Solved With Hiring of Dusty Baker

The Cincinnati Reds took a colossal step forward Monday in their fight to return to respectability with the announcement that Dusty Baker will be their new manager. The Reds have struggled to put together a decent pitching staff over the last 17 seasons, an aspect of the managerial position that Baker is known to excel in. The addition of Baker is expected to immediately solve the teams' pitching woes, as he has always shown an adept touch with a young pitching staff.

"I'm especially good with the young guys," Baker said during his introductory press conference. "I'm more than willing to leave them out there when they've got nothing left just to see if they can fight through it. I think my track record speaks for itself. Before I got to Chicago Kerry Wood was only pitching every five days. Now, thanks to what I put him through, he pitches as often as three or four times a week. And last I heard Mark (Prior) was tearing it up for the Iowa Cubs. He had made six starts this year before hanging it up with the same shoulder and elbow problems that have plagued him since 2003. But hey, that's his most starts in four years. Yeah, I'd say my impact is still being felt there."

When asked about potential free agents Baker played it coy, but he did drop hints that he hoped to bring in a few big veteran free agents to provide stability on a young Cincinnati ball club. Although he declined to discuss specific names, sources close to the organization believe that Baker has his sights set on Nefi Perez and Freddie "Boom Boom" Bynum.

But Baker expressed the most optimism about the Reds' potential '08 opening day staff. He said he's very impressed with what he's seen of staff ace Aaron Harang, as well as minor league phenom Homer Bailey. Baker added that he's a huge fan of Bronson Arroyo's music, but he knew little about his ability as a pitcher. He promised, however, to devote the same attention to shortening Arroyo's career as he does with any of his other decent pitchers.

"Harang's got great stuff and even though Homer's just a kid I think he's ready for the big time," he said. "I think we can really ride these guys hard this year and see where they take us. Even if that means they're never the same, so be it. We're trying to win now, Tommy John be damned. Hey, you never know, if we catch a few breaks and I leave some guys out there longer than I probably should, we could go far. Maybe even five outs from a World Series appearance."