High off of making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, the Cincinnati Reds wasted no time in taking care of manager Dusty Baker’s contract situation, awarding Baker with a 2-year extension.

Why 2 years? Apparently, like the majority of players, Baker’s a little superstitious. “I’ve had some of my best success on two-year contracts,” Baker said.

No financial details have leaked yet, but it’s likely he’ll have gotten a bit of a raise. Baker’s first contract was a 3-year deal reportedly worth $10 million. In those 3 years, the Reds improved a bit every year, going 74-88, 78-84, and finally 91-71 this year.

Despite the great improvement this year, Baker’s record with Cincinnati sits at just .500, 243-243. In his four years with the Chicago Cubs, he went 322-326, but then that team worsened every year as he seemed to lose control of the clubhouse and the respect of the players. Clearly, that’s not happening for the Reds. Not with quotes like this from Nick Masset.

“That’s awesome. I’m really excited for him,” said Masset, who Baker stuck with when he struggled early in the season. “He’s been such a huge asset for the team. He’s really someone we look up to and can confide in daily. He’s such a wonderful person to have around. He’s very family-oriented. He would do anything for us and we’d do the same for him. It definitely makes it a good atmosphere to be in when he’s around.”

So now that the question of Dusty Baker’s future is out of the way, let’s get to the playoffs.

Come send off your NL Central Champion Reds to the playoffs!

CINCINNATI (Oct. 3, 2010) — The Cincinnati Reds announce “Reds Rally on the Square” to be held Monday, Oct. 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Fountain Square.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman will host the festivities, which will include speeches from Reds President and CEO Bob Castellini, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty, Reds Hall of Famer Joe Morgan and Manager Dusty Baker.

Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips and the entire Reds team and coaching staff will appear on stage as well.

The team will appear at the Reds Rally on Fountain Square at approximately 3:30pm, then will fly to Philadelphia.

“This is a unique opportunity for Reds fans to send off their team as we take the first step in the 2010 Postseason,” said Bob Castellini. “It’s sure to be an exciting experience for our fans, and we want to show our players, coaches and staff that all of Reds Country is behind them as they begin their playoff run.”

In addition to the team’s appearance, the rally will feature plenty of food, drinks and fun, including live music from Funky G and the Groove Machine. Reds mascots Gapper, Mr. Redlegs and Rosie Red and the John Morrell Reds Rally Pack will entertain fans as well.

Fans also will have the opportunity to pick up official Reds Postseason merchandise from a special Postseason merchandise trailer at the Square.