Eric Gagne: I'd Hate to Be You Right Now; Reds Get Dusty Baker, The Family Steinbrenner; Other Random Thoughts...

While I was up in Beantown, I saw you rip the heart out of Sox fans hoping for a 2-0 lead in the ALCS, but I saw you stink it up.

If it were not for you, the Baltimore Orioles would have two less wins than they should have gotten otherwise. However, since you joined the Red Sox, you have sucked and it's just sad how far you have fallen from your days with the Dodgers.

Son, would I not like to be you this week.

***



It looks like Dusty Baker is coming back!

According to various media sources, Dusty has signed a three-year deal to become manager of the Reds.

By hiring Dusty Baker as their next manager, the Cincinnati Reds have made a pronounced change in philosophy, turning to an outsider to run the team for the first time in 18 years.

The last time they did it, they won a championship.

The Reds confirmed on Sunday that Baker will become their next manager. Baker, who has a three-year deal, will be introduced at a news conference Monday in Cincinnati.

"Dusty is extremely excited to join the Cincinnati Reds with its rich history, and looks forward to helping re-establish the legacy of the Big Red Machine," said his agent, Greg Genske.

The move got the players' attention. Instead of promoting from within, the Reds went for someone with no ties to the organization. During his 14 seasons as manager, the 58-year-old Baker led San Francisco to the World Series and the Chicago Cubs to the playoffs.

"Since I've been here, we haven't had the big-name manager," said right-hander Aaron Harang, who has been with the Reds for the last five years.

Interim manager Pete Mackanin was not retained, although he did have a winning record with the team in his time as it's leader.

Time will tell if the Reds are a good fit for Dusty Baker, but they did lure a marquee name into the organization.

***

Right now, the big talk of New York and Yankee fans are not only how the team is going to improve in '08, but also about the condition of George Steinbrenner.

Over the weekend, it has been reported by several media outlets that Steinbrenner will be handing a lot of the responsibility of running the Yankees to his sons, Hal and Hank.

Here's some of the text from the news via ESPN:

George Steinbrenner's sons Hank and Hal have taken over the daily running of the New York Yankees, according to a report.

The New York Post said the details about the control of the franchise will be ironed out at top-level meetings the Yankees are holding this week in Tampa. According to The Associated Press manager Joe Torre's status for next season will be decided during discussions starting on Tuesday morning.

"George has taken on a role like the chairman of a major corporation," team president Randy Levine told the paper. "He's been saying for years he's wanted to get his sons involved in the family business. Both of them have stepped up and are taking on the day-to-day duties of what's required to run the Yankees."

and...

Hank Steinbrenner said in the interview that he will share final say on team decisions with his brother Hal but Hank will apparently focus more on the baseball side of the business. Hal Steinbrenner will focus more on the construction of the new Yankee Stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2009.

"There's always been a succession -- and that's myself and my brother," Hank Steinbrenner told the paper.

Levine told AP on Sunday night, however, that George Steinbrenner, 77, will still have the final say on Torre.

"He's still the boss," he said.

It was in the plans to get his sons active in the team. As they are building a new stadium which will be ready in '09, signing A-Rod, Posada, Rivera, as well as trying to rebuild their team, all eyes will again be on Steinbrenners, this time, with the whole family included.