Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat last night in Chicago and reportedly stayed overnight to undergo tests on his heart.
According to Reds head trainer Paul Lessard, Baker was having trouble breathing and has a history of an irregular heartbeat. Baker left Wrigley Field more than two hours before his team’s 11-inning, 6-5 victory over the Cubs to undergo X-rays to check for pneumonia.
While X-rays were negative doctors found the irregular heartbeat and asked if Baker would stay overnight to undergo a series of test.
“I guess the good thing is it’s not pneumonia, but the bad thing he has an irregular heartbeat, so basically they will keep him over at the hospital and run some more tests in the morning before he is set free,” Lessard said.
Baker will not be with the team today and there has been no word on his return. Baker will address the media once he returns to Cincinnati. The Reds are close to capturing their second NL Central title in three years, and their magic number to clinch the division is down to three games, while their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to one.
Last week Baker managed his 3,000th game and is one of only two African American managers in major league baseball today. The other is Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers.
