CINCINNATI -- One of the first things the Reds did after clinching the National League Central Division last week was pull manager Dusty Baker into the clubhouse. Players surrounded him in a circle and sprayed him down with champagne while chanting his name.
"Dusty! Dusty! Dusty! Dusty!" the dozens of Reds shouted at the top of their lungs.
"That was nothing but love," setup reliever Nick Masset said Monday. "That was us showing our appreciation for everything he's done all year."
Baker, who smiled from ear to ear, has long had the loyalty of his players. And on Monday, before the start of the playoffs, his efforts were fully endorsed by the organization. The Reds and Baker agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2012.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
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