Dusty Baker proves that nice guys — and good managers — do indeed finish first

Dusty Baker takes part in the Astros’ World Series parade Monday in Houston. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Sometimes the easy explanation is the correct one. And sometimes the easy explanation is … too easy.

The too-easy explanation for the Cubs’ failures in 2003 and 2004 is that manager Dusty Baker wasn’t good at his job, that he ruined the arms of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, and that, whenever a crime against baseball was committed anywhere, there was only one person of interest.