Baker given contract extension by Reds

CINCINNATI, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Manager Dusty Baker was given a two-year contract extension after leading the Reds to their first playoff appearance in 15 seasons.

Baker guided the Reds to a 91-71 record and National League Central pennant. Cincinnati will open its 2010 post-season Wednesday at Philadelphia.

His contract extension runs through the 2012 season.

Baker, 61, has taken teams to first- or second-place finishes nine times as a major league manager. He's also a three-time winner of the NL Manager of the Year Award.

After two years in which the team was fifth in the NL Central, Baker led Cincinnati to the division title in 2010. It will be the Reds' first playoff appearance since 1995 when they advanced as far as the National League Championship Series.

Baker is the second manager to take three different NL teams to the playoffs. He previously managed San Francisco for 10 seasons and the Chicago Cubs for four years. He owns a career managerial record of 1,405-1,284 over 17 seasons.