The Washington Nationals parted company with manager Dusty Baker in the wake of the team's latest playoff near-miss. Baker led the Nationals to back-to-back National League East titles but saw his team defeated in the opening round of the playoffs on each occasion. The Nats were eliminated in five games last week by the Chicago Cubs. Baker's dismissal was announced in an open letter to fans by the Nationals ownership. "This was an incredibly difficult decision for us," the team's owners wrote. "Dusty Baker led the team to the first back-to-back division titles in our history and represented our club with class on and off the field. The former All-Star outfielder later told USA Today he was "surprised and disappointed" at his dismissal.

Source: AFP