Dusty Baker Calling Out Nick Markakis and Defending Astros Players Feels Very Weird

Perhaps the most "unfair" aspect, if you can really call it that, of the domino effect pertaining to the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal is the fact that the lovable Dusty Baker has, at times, been called upon to weather the storm.

The 70-year-old skipper has been forced to defend his new club, serving as the public face of a scandal he didn't participate in. That's exactly the sort of predicament he was pulled into after Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis unleashed one of the most eye-opening perspectives we've heard yet on Astros players avoiding punishment from MLB's investigation.

"That’s cool," Baker told reporters at Spring Training. "I ain’t commenting on everybody’s comments. Go ahead. You want to beat on us, go ahead."

When reporters attempted to transition to a different topic, Baker actually intervened to take a dig at Markakis' supposed passive persona.

"I didn’t think Markakis talked too much," said the Astros' manager. "He doesn’t. OK, maybe he had his Wheaties."

This is just so weird.

Baker was evidently brought in for his old school love and approach to managing the game. He obviously doesn't endorse Houston cheating its way to a world championship, but what else is he going to do? Rip his team a new one?

Baker's hands are tied here, and he's clearly taking the highway that assures job security...and a chance at capturing his first-ever World Series crown. That's just going to take some time to reckon with.