Baker's illustrious résumé boasts clear case for Cooperstown

HOUSTON -- Dusty Baker is the only manager in baseball history to take five different teams to the playoffs, culminating with a long-awaited World Series title with the Astros in 2022. That only scratches the surface of a résumé that should lead Baker to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

That could happen as early as next year, with Baker among eight men on the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot for managers, executives and umpires, as announced Monday. The list also includes Sandy Alderson, Bruce Bochy, Joe Maddon, Lou Piniella, Brian Sabean, Ted Turner and Bill White -- a who’s who of managers and executives who made significant contributions to the game…