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Washington Nationals: Who Would Be In Their Presidential Cabinet?

By Ricky Keeler

iApr 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the field before the game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
iApr 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the field before the game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (R) talks to general manager Mike Rizzo before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Vice President: Dusty Baker

Last offseason, the Washington Nationals made the decision to hire Baker as their next manager. Baker was clearly the right fit for a veteran laden team that needed a leader in the clubhouse. After Matt Williams struggled with a talented team in 2015, Baker helped the team win 95 games in 2016 and another NL East title.

Since Baker joined the Nats, one of the qualities I have liked about him is his ability to utilize every single player on the 25-man roster. If you are on the roster, Baker is going to find a way to get you in the game because he knows you will make an impact at some point, whether you are a superstar or a player coming off the bench.

All season long, the players were talking about how great it was to have Baker as the manager. Everywhere he goes, winning seems to follow him. By getting the Nats to the playoffs in 2016, he has now been a manager in the postseason with four different teams (Giants, Cubs, Reds, and Nats).

While Baker has lost nine consecutive winner take all games, including Games 4 and 5 of the NLDS against the Dodgers this season, he still is the perfect leading manager for the Nats. Last night, he was named one of the three finalists for NL Manager Of The Year.

Plus, Baker proved that Rizzo and ownership made the right decision in hiring him over Bud Black (now the manager in Colorado). While he only has one year left on his contract, he is the perfect manager for a win now team that is trying to advance past the first round for the first time.

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