Piniella, Baker travel similar career paths

PHILADELPHIA -- When the Cincinnati Reds come to Wrigley Field on Tuesday night to open a three-game series, it will mark the return of former Cubs manager Dusty Baker.

Baker managed the Cubs from 2003-06. After sitting out the 2007 season to do TV work, Baker got back into the dugout this year to lead the Reds.

"Dusty is a good man," said current Cubs skipper Lou Piniella. "He's a good manager. Dusty does a nice job. He's had success."

Piniella and Baker played against each other in the 1977, 1978 and 1981 World Series, with Piniella's New York Yankees beating Baker's Los Angeles Dodgers in '77 and '78 and Baker getting the title in '81.

Both have followed similar career paths, and Piniella said Sunday he helped Baker get going on his.

"I think he'll tell you that I'm the one that mentioned to him that he should consider managing in the big leagues," Piniella said, referring to a conversation they had when Baker was coaching for the San Francisco Giants.

"We were just talking baseball. I told him that's how I started, as a batting coach. … I told him it's something he should consider and look forward to. I remember having the conversation with him."

Like Piniella, Baker came to Chicago with high hopes and good feelings. It ended in disappointment in '06, when Baker was fired after the season. Piniella said he'd still recommend the Cubs' job.

"The Cubs job is a fun job," Piniella said. "It's a demanding job, but it's a fun job. There's a big challenge here, there's no question."