Baker Staying In San Fran
Good news for San Francisco Giants fans this morning -- manager Dusty Baker is coming back for another two years.
After tense negotiations, Baker and the Giants reached agreement yesterday on a two-year contract extension that makes Baker the game's second highest-paid manager.
Terms weren't disclosed, but a source close to the deal told The Associated Press Baker will make more than $2 million a year. That trails only Joe Torre of the New York Yankees -- who makes $3 million.
Baker will start his ninth year with the Giants in 2001.
Baker led the Giants to baseball's best record at 97-65 and the National League West title this season. He's a two-time National League Manager of the Year and has support to win the award again this year.
When the Giants were knocked out of the playoffs in a four-game division series with the New York Mets, Baker came in for a lot of criticism. He says that made him think hard about returning.
Baker said last night that he went fishing this week to think about the situation -- then returned to ask for a private meeting with general manager Brian Sabean. The deal was completed 90 minutes before last night's hastily called news conference.
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