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WASHINGTON -- The NL Division Series between Dusty Bakers Washington Nationals and Dave Roberts Los Angeles Dodgers is the first postseason matchup in major league history involving two black managers.It gives us some pride, in being African-American, to show people that not only can we do the job, but we can do the job better than most. Especially this year, Baker said Thursday. Hopefully, it motivates other organizations to get some African-American managers, also to motivate other players that are playing now, and former players that have managerial aspirations. It probably brings a lot of pride across America -- and not only African-American people, but everybody.When Baker was hired last November, baseball avoided what could have been its first start to a season since 1988 with zero black managers. Roberts got his job later that month.In April, a study overseen by Richard Lapchick of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida gave baseball teams a grade of C-plus for racial hiring practices for managers.Asked about the bit of history he and Baker will make when the NLDS opens Friday in Washington, Roberts said: Its important, and it doesnt go unnoticed or underappreciated, I think, speaking for Dusty, myself, what it means to the game of baseball, to society.Roberts recently spoke about Baker as a friend, a role model and said its a lot to try to follow what hes done.While this is Roberts postseason debut as a skipper, Baker is participating in the playoffs for the eighth time in 21 seasons with four clubs as a manager. Baker ranks 17th in major league history in managerial wins and said this week he aims to become the first black manager in the sports Hall of Fame.On Thursday, Baker recalled playing under manager Tommy Lasorda with the Los Angeles Dodgers more than 30 years ago -- and hearing Lasorda brag about how many Italian skippers there were in the majors at the time.He says, `Were taking over.I said, `What do you mean, youre taking over?According to Baker, Lasorda then began listing managers he said were Italian. When Lasorda mentioned Billy Martin, Baker responded that he wasnt Italian. But, Baker said, Lasorda retorted that Martins mother was Italian. Then, Baker continued, Lasorda mentioned Chuck Tanner, drawing another objection. And again, according to Baker, Lasorda said Tanners mother was Italian. And the discussion continued in that vein, Baker said.So we went on and on and on. There was some racial pride in him. And he always was talking about being Italian. He even told me to tell some of his friends I was Italian, Baker recounted with a wide smile. And he says, `If he asks you, you tell them youre from Abruzzo, an Italian province.---AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco contributed to this report.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrichWhat is the best place to buy Cheap Jerseys . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. What is a good website to buy sports jerseys .Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. https://www.wheretobuycheapjerseys.com/ . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. What is the best site to buy team jerseys from China .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. What is the best place to buy knockoff jerseys . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed.CHICAGO -- Even in the midst of his own strong season left-handed starter Jon Lester is quick to stand up and cheer for fellow members of the Chicago Cubs rotation.After Kyle Hendricks tossed seven shutout innings in the Cubs 3-0 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday, Lester took to social media to praise the Cubs righty.Another gem turned in by Kyle Hendricks last night. Hoping the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) takes notice, Lester proclaimed on his Twitter feed.Hendricks (13-7, 2.09 ERA) is increasingly part of conversations for NL Cy Young Award consideration by baseball writers while reigning award winner Jake Arrieta of the Cubs (16-5, 2.84 ERA) is also having another impressive year.So why not Lester, too?The 32-year-old left-hander brings a 14-4 record and 2.70 ERA to his Friday start against the San Francisco Giants. Hell face right-hander Albert Suarez (3-2, 4.35 ERA) in a 1:20 p.m. match at Wrigley Field.Lester has a team-leading 21 quality starts in 26 appearances. He finished August with a 3-0 record and a 1.71 ERA for the month and is 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA in four career starts against San Francisco.Hes even contributed with the bat. As a pinch hitter in a July 31 walk off win over the Seattle Mariners, Lester delivered a squeeze bunt in the 12th inning that scored Javier Baez with the winning run.I was trying not to screw anything up and just get (the bunt) down and see what happened from there, Lester said.Lesterr, who has World Series wins with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2013, says hed rather pull for the entire staff rather than concentrate on individual accolades.ddddddddddddI dont compete with my other pitchers, Lester said recently. I want them to do way better than me. I think the biggest thing, and the way Ive always felt, is you dont want to be kind of the loose link in the chain. You want to keep going, keep pressing along.The four-game series between the Giants and Cubs could serve as a preview to next months National League playoffs.While Chicago appears to be a virtual playoff lock, each one of the next three games in the series is critical for a Giants team that now has 11 losses in its last 17 games following Thursdays 5-4 loss to the Cubs.Its a case of us putting it all together, said Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Theres no easy answer, but weve got to pitch well and get these bats going.The Giants, winners of World Series championships between 2010 and 2014, are just two games in back of the NL West-leading Dodgers and narrowly lead the NL wild card chase.San Francisco is scheduled to send left-hander Madison Bumgarner (13-8, 2.49 ERA) against Arrieta on Saturday. Johnny Cueto (14.5, 2.98 ERA) is scheduled for Sunday against a Cubs pitcher to be named, but could be John Lackey coming off the disabled list. ' ' '