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  6. article_body => "<p>The Houston Astros found their new manager Wednesday, announcing&nbsp;Dusty Baker as&nbsp;their skipper for&nbsp;2020 as they navigate the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal that resulted in the firings of manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow.<\/p>\n<p>Baker, 70, is a three-time Manager of the Year who's spent time as manager of the Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. According to multiple reports, the Astros have signed him to a one-year deal with a club option for 2021.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThroughout his successful career, Dusty has embodied the qualities that we were looking for in a manager,\u201d Astros owner Jim Crane said in a press release. \u201cHe\u2019s a winner, and more importantly, a strong leader who has earned the respect of not only his players, but of virtually everyone that he has touched in baseball. We\u2019re extremely excited to name Dusty as the new leader of our ballclub.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Washington is the most recent home for Baker, who won back-to-back NL East titles in D.C. but failed to guide the team past the NLDS each time. He wasn't retained after his contract ended at the conclusion of the 2017 season and has been out of professional baseball since.<\/p>\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/racing-presidents\/episodes\/ab34667d-d187-49fc-853b-c4db42c047e1\/embed?theme=light-blue\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe> \n<p>\u201cI\u2019m extremely thankful for this opportunity,\u201d Baker said in the press release. \u201cThis is a great ballclub with outstanding players that know how to win. I applaud Jim Crane for the leadership he has shown in recent weeks and look forward to working with him and the players to bring a championship to the city of Houston.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The short-term deal suggests Houston will head into 2020 with a plan of allowing Baker to audition for the&nbsp;position moving forward. The veteran manager will have his work cut out for him, as the Astros will be under more scrutiny than any other club in the majors to start the year.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb65a2b6cedb?site_id=Dig_RSN_Wash&amp;creative_id=nbcswash1200&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcswash1200\">Click here<\/a>&nbsp;to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports. Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream Capitals and Wizards games easily from your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MORE NATIONALS NEWS:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nats make trade:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/theres-harper-dc-again-nationals-trade-reliever-ryne-harper\">Ryne Harper to DC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Zim speaks out:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/ryan-zimmerman-electronic-sign-stealing-its-greatest-sin-you-can-do\">Electronic sign stealing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>It's official:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/virginia-general-assembly-issues-proclamation-commend-nationals-world-series-run\">Nats go down in VA history<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Nationals

Nationals

The Houston Astros found their new manager Wednesday, announcing Dusty Baker as their skipper for 2020 as they navigate the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal that resulted in the firings of manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow.

Baker, 70, is a three-time Manager of the Year who's spent time as manager of the Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. According to multiple reports, the Astros have signed him to a one-year deal with a club option for 2021.

“Throughout his successful career, Dusty has embodied the qualities that we were looking for in a manager,” Astros owner Jim Crane said in a press release. “He’s a winner, and more importantly, a strong leader who has earned the respect of not only his players, but of virtually everyone that he has touched in baseball. We’re extremely excited to name Dusty as the new leader of our ballclub.”

Washington is the most recent home for Baker, who won back-to-back NL East titles in D.C. but failed to guide the team past the NLDS each time. He wasn't retained after his contract ended at the conclusion of the 2017 season and has been out of professional baseball since.

“I’m extremely thankful for this opportunity,” Baker said in the press release. “This is a great ballclub with outstanding players that know how to win. I applaud Jim Crane for the leadership he has shown in recent weeks and look forward to working with him and the players to bring a championship to the city of Houston.”

 

The short-term deal suggests Houston will head into 2020 with a plan of allowing Baker to audition for the position moving forward. The veteran manager will have his work cut out for him, as the Astros will be under more scrutiny than any other club in the majors to start the year.

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