The Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Dusty Baker brought in a tailor during his first spring training as the Reds manager, getting the clubhouse staff ready to look good for the day when the marooned franchise would finally win.

“I said, ’Man, we’re going to the playoffs, dude,”’ Baker related. “I want them all looking good, clean. And I want them believing that we’re going places.”

Two years later, the staff freed those snazzy suits from their protective plastic wrap. And the manager who picked up the tab got a two-year contract extension and a chance to make sure those suits get a lot of wear.

The Reds announced the deal Monday, a reward for the team’s first playoff appearance in 15 years.

“I think we got here sooner than a lot of people thought — to the playoffs,” general manager Walt Jocketty said. “I think a lot of it is due to Dusty’s leadership.”

Baker is in the final season of his original three-year deal. The front office approached him during the season to talk about an extension, and the sides closed in on an agreement last week while the Reds were clinching the NL Central title.

The superstitious Baker wanted the deal to last two years.

“I’ve had some of my best success on two-year contracts,” Baker said Monday. “I don’t know why.”

Baker’s coaching staff also was offered two-year extensions before the club worked out, attended a downtown rally and headed to Philadelphia. The Reds open against the defending NL champions on Wednesday.

The Reds were the biggest surprise of the division champions, winning the Central despite a young and inexperienced lineup and pitching rotation. Baker kept it together during one of the tightest pennant races in years. The Reds and Cardinals weren’t separated by more than three games from mid-May to mid-August.