Reds blossomed under the direction of Baker

John Perrotto | Special for USA TODAY Sports

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Baker has won two NL Central titles with the Reds since 2010

Baker has led the Reds into the postseason three out of the last four seasons

Baker is in 20th season as a major-league manager

PITTSBURGH – Dusty Baker doesn't have many pleasant thoughts about last year's postseason.

The Cincinnati Reds took a 2-0 lead against San Francisco in the National League Division Series then lost three straight games at home as the Giants rallied to win the best-of-five series on their way to winning the World Series.

However, losing the series were just part of Baker's woes. He was managing just two weeks after suffering a stroke following a game against the Cubs in Chicago.

"I wasn't as clear headed then as I am now," Baker said Tuesday night before the Reds faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Wild Card game.

Win or lose, Baker knew he would walk out of PNC Park with a better peace of mind.

"It was difficult to come here in this setting, in this interview room, because there were a lot of things I couldn't think of, a lot of times I couldn't put things into word the way I'd like to ordinarily." Baker said. "That's the one thing I'm very thankful for, that last year at this time my family and myself, we were a bit apprehensive and nervous at this time."

Baker has felt no ill effects of the stroke and is 20 pounds lighter than a year ago.

Baker has also led the Reds into the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons. Before that run, the Reds had not make in the playoffs since 1995, a drought of 15 years.

After finishing under .500 in each of Baker's first two seasons in 2008 and 2009, the Reds have won two NL Central titles in addition to making the Wild Card game this year.

"I'm proud to have been with these young players from the time a lot of them just got to the big leagues," Baker said. "I've been the only manager that some of them have had. We have trained these guys. We have tutored them. We're still teaching things from time to time."

All-Stars such as first baseman Joey Votto, second baseman Brandon Phillips, right fielder Jay Bruce and closer Aroldis Chapman have all blossomed during Baker's tenure. At 64, Baker still has the ability to connect with players because of his easygoing personality and street sense.

"We all love him," Bruce said. "He's not only one of the great managers in the game but he's a great guy."

Baker is in 20th season as a major-league manager following a 10-year stint with the San Francisco Giants and four years with the Chicago Cubs, and has one year remaining on his contract with Reds.

Baker is just one of three managers to lead the Reds to multiple postseason appearances along with Hall of Famers Bill McKechnie and Sparky Anderson and ranks 16th in major-league history with 1,671. Yet Baker still has his detractors in Cincinnati for not leading the Reds beyond the division series round.

"I don't think there are a lot of people that appreciate what we put together, what we've done," Baker said. "We're in a society that there's only one room at the top. Again, I would like to think if you keep persevering, you'll get to the top. If you don't get to these settings, you have no chance of being a champion."