WASHINGTON -- Just before noon Tuesday, Dusty Baker strolled out of the Nationals Park home dugout and made his rounds during his clubs first workout ahead of its NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.He started in the outfield, chatting with Ryan Zimmerman while the first baseman stretched. Baker ambled toward the infield and spoke to first-base coach Davey Lopes. Then the skipper set up shop behind the batting cage during BP, keeping an eye on his hitters while talking to GM Mike Rizzo.After sitting out two major league seasons, Baker is back in baseball. Hes also back in the postseason, leading the Nationals to the NL East title in his first year.When I was sitting home, I was like, `I should be there, because Im pretty used to going to the playoffs, Baker said, resting his cheek on his right hand during a news conference about 75 hours before Washington hosts Game 1 on Friday.This is his eighth trip to the postseason in 21 years as a manager. Each of his four clubs -- the Giants, Cubs, Reds and Nationals -- improved its win total in his debut season, including a 12-victory jump in 2016.Baker was asked Tuesday whether he worried he might not get another shot at managing after the Reds fired him, despite three playoff trips in his last four years.I was more bewildered than I was worried, and I wondered if I was on the `blacklist or not, Baker said. Sometimes theres an unwritten list that sometimes your name is at the top of, being one of the `unwanted, for whatever reason. Because I was sitting at home, watching guys that hadnt done what I had done.He continued, That doesnt happen very often: A guy goes to the playoffs, and all of a sudden he cant get a job. Or he cant even get a call back. But thats OK. I found out who my friends were.Baker didnt just sit around the house.His daughter got married in his back yard. He spent time with his son. He traveled. He worked on business ventures.But Baker acknowledged he was down for about three days.My dad used to tell me, `Its OK to be down. Just dont stay down. And I was like, `Man, is that what depression is? Ive never had depression. All I know is, I didnt like that feeling, Baker recounted.Always quick with a quip or a good story, Baker draws high praise for his ability to communicate with players.His decades of experience as a player and a manager also drew immediate respect in the clubhouse.He could have very easily gone into politics, Lopes, Bakers teammate for six seasons with the Dodgers, said with a chuckle. He figures out what makes each player tick.Zimmerman figures a managers most important task is to handle personalities.You have so many coaches and all the scouting and analytics, so the baseball part is taken care of. The best managers are people that keep everyone together, when things are going bad or good, Zimmerman said. The biggest thing I like about Dusty is that hes honest with you, whether its good or bad. Im the kind of guy who -- I wasnt when I was younger, but now that Im a little bit older -- Id rather just someone tell me, because Im a big boy. And Dusty does that great. ... He doesnt ever really hold anything in.Bakers 1,766 wins rank 17th in history among MLB managers, ahead of Tommy Lasorda, Earl Weaver, Whitey Herzog and other Hall of Famers.He said that as he began climbing the all-time list, he started thinking about the possibility of making it to Cooperstown: Yeah, Id like to be the first African-American in the Hall of Fame (as a) manager.First things first, though.Right now, Johnnie B. Dusty Baker has more tales to tell and more games to win.Game notes Rizzo confirmed that RHP Stephen Strasburg would not be available for the NLDS but could return if Washington advances. ... Baker officially announced RHP Max Scherzer would start Game 1 against LHP Clayton Kershaw. ... Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy, who hasnt started since Sept. 17 because of a strained glute muscle, participated in the workout, taking BP and infield practice, and did extra running afterward. Baker wouldnt commit to having Murphy in the lineup Friday, saying a true evaluation would come no sooner than after Wednesdays workout. ... OF Michael A. Taylor had his left thumb heavily taped -- he jammed it on a steal of second base last week -- and is not well, Baker said.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Kenny Stabler Jersey . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Johnathan Abram Youth Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Foster-Moreau-Raiders-Jersey/ . 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With a 3-yard gain, South Carolina State running back Joe Thomas Sr., the 55-year-old father of?Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas Jr., fulfilled his dream Saturday.Joe Sr. took the field in a 32-0 victory over Savannah State on senior day as the oldest walk-on running back for South Carolina State, where Joe Jr. played from 2010 to 2013.With 4:34 remaining in the opening quarter, Joe Sr. took a handoff and gained 3 yards. He finished the game with four carries for minus-1 yard rushing. Afterward, the team presented him with a game ball.?I felt like a hero, said the native of Blackville, South Carolina. It was certainly one of the happiest days of my life. I always wanted to play college football and I finally got the chance. And I thank South Carolina State, coach [Buddy] Pough and the entire coaching staff and my teammates for the opportunity. I had been waiting 36 years.I always said, Never give up on your dreams. Keep driving forward and dont listen to other people. Its a great day for me, but I must admit, I didnt think my situation would generate so much attention and so much positive response.ddddddddddddis son was scheduled to be on the Packers team plane headed for Sundays game at Washington.I am a little worried, Joe Jr. said Friday. I know his body might be a little fragile. Im going to try to get the coach not to run him on one of those stretch plays. Im going to try to get him to run straight downhill.Joe Jr. has been with the Packers since 2015.He said his father was an entrepreneur in South Carolina with a construction company and a training facility until the recession wiped out his business. Four years ago, his father decided to pursue a degree -- hes studying engineering -- and revive his athletic career.Joe Sr. had been practicing with the scout team.Its been crazy for me, Joe Jr. said. I never thought youd see a 55-year-old running back. Im just proud of him. He made his mind up to do something and stuck to it.ESPN staff writer Rob Demovsky and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '