Washington

Darren Baker, who grew up around the game, inches closer to his dream

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

Darren Baker, who grew up around the game, inches closer to his dream

Darren Baker and his dad don’t just share a love for baseball. They also have an appreciation for wildlife. The two spent time fishing together in South Florida during the last two spring trainings and also visited a turtle reserve, not too far from where they were staying.

But Darren’s dad, Dusty Baker, retired in this past fall after four seasons as the Houston Astros manager. The baseball lifer stayed around the game, returning to the San Francisco Giants as an adviser. The Astros share a spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., with the Washington Nationals, who are scheduled to have their first pitchers and catchers workout Wednesday. The Giants prepare for the coming MLB season in Arizona, though, which means Darren Baker’s third spring training with the Nationals will look slightly different.

“I’ve definitely thought about it a lot,” Darren Baker said last month. “It happens a lot with parents. You maybe take something for granted and then it’s too late. And then it’s like, ‘Man, that was really nice.’ But yeah, it’s definitely gonna be weird.”

Spring training may bring the future into focus for the Nationals

This isn’t the only change for the younger Baker. The 24-year-old second baseman is one of six prospects set to participate in their first big league camp. Baker spent last season with Class AAA Rochester; though he missed some time with a groin injury and rehabbed at lower levels. Now there’s a sense of urgency for Baker, who enters 2024 hoping to assert himself as a player who can help the Nationals compete in the future.

Baker has typically gone to Houston during his offseasons to spend time with his dad for the Astros’ postseason runs before returning home to California to train. He went back home earlier than normal last fall, though, to maximize his offseason ahead of 2024.

“I can feel like I’m getting closer,” he said. “Like to a dream, you know? I just know I can take it to another level.”

The offseason heading into 2023 was a lost one for Baker. He tore a ligament in his thumb sliding into a base in September 2022, but played through the rest of the season. He participated in the Arizona Fall League briefly, but ultimately he couldn’t move his hand without pain and opted for surgery.

Baker ended his 2023 season hitting .284 with three home runs and 44 RBI. It was a solid year, but there’s certainly room for improvement. Power has never been a part of Baker’s game, yet he still only had 11 doubles in 107 games in 2023 after 24 in 105 games in 2022. His slugging percentage (.349) was the same as his on-base percentage. Extra-base hits at the major league level will be even harder to come by.

Baker also missed most of June with a groin injury that lingered into July. He played sparingly and admits that he came back too soon. But the desire to prove himself outweighed the fact that he didn’t feel 100 percent.

“I just want something so bad,” said Baker, who grew up in big league clubhouses. “It’s hard not to see ahead a little bit sometimes.”

Baker said he’s made his biggest jump in an offseason. He put on almost 15 pounds since leaving Rochester. Baker also hopes to display better plate discipline this year, including being “more stubborn” in swinging in his hot zones. Last season, he felt like pitchers at Class AAA exploited him on balls inside, resulting in him getting jammed on fastballs or chasing breaking pitches down and in.

The Nationals have Luis García at second base, though Manager Dave Martinez said García has to earn the job this spring. Jake Alu, Ildemaro Vargas and Rule 5 pick Nasim Nuñez are all utility options behind him. But that hasn’t stopped Baker from believing his opportunity could come soon.

Baker still plans to continue some of his spring traditions, but not all of them. That turtle reserve trip was more of a father-son outing, he says. And, of course, not living with his dad means fewer free meals. But Baker said his dad plans to make it out to Florida to watch him play.

“He’ll be down there. I mean, he can’t stay away from it even if he wanted to,” Baker said. “My whole life literally, give or take a year or two, he’s been in the game. So I think he’ll really enjoy being able to see me.”

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Washington

Iran warns Washington it will retaliate against any attack

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Iran warns Washington it will retaliate against any attack

DUBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Iran warned President Donald Trump on Sunday that any U.S. attack would lead to Tehran striking back against Israel and regional U.S. military bases as “legitimate targets”, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told parliament.

Israel is on high alert for the possibility of a U.S. intervention to support a nationwide protest movement in Iran, sources said.

Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by William Mallard

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

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Washington

Washington National Opera cuts ties with the Kennedy Center after longstanding partnership | CNN Politics

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Washington National Opera cuts ties with the Kennedy Center after longstanding partnership | CNN Politics

The Washington National Opera on Friday announced it is parting ways with the Kennedy Center after more than a decade with the arts institution.

“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera said in a statement.

The decoupling marks another high-profile withdrawal since President Donald Trump and his newly installed board of trustees instituted broad thematic and cosmetic changes to the building, including renaming the facility “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”

The opera said it plans to “reduce its spring season and relocate performances to new venues.”

A source familiar with the dynamic told CNN the decision to part ways was made by the opera’s board and its leadership, and that the decision was not mutual.

A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center said in a statement, “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center.”

Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Trump’s hand-picked board, said on X, “Having an exclusive relationship has been extremely expensive and limiting in choice and variety.”

Grenell added, “Having an exclusive Opera was just not financially smart. And our patrons clearly wanted a refresh.”

Since taking the reins at the center, Grenell has cut existing staff, hired political allies and mandated a “break-even policy” for every performance.

The opera said the new policy was a factor in its decision to leave the center.

“The Center’s new business model requires productions to be fully funded in advance—a requirement incompatible with opera operations,” the opera said.

Francesca Zambello, the opera’s artistic director, said she is “deeply saddened to leave The Kennedy Center.”

“In the coming years, as we explore new venues and new ways of performing, WNO remains committed to its mission and artistic vision,” she said.

The New York Times first reported the opera’s departure.

Founded in 1956 as the “Opera Society of Washington,” the group has performed across the district, taking permanent residency in the Kennedy Center in 2011.

The performing arts center has been hit with a string of abrupt cancellations from artists in recent weeks including the jazz group The Cookers and New York City-based dance company Doug Varone and Dancers who canceled their performances after Trump’s name was added to the center – a living memorial for assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

The American College Theater Festival voted to suspend its relationship with the Kennedy Center, calling the affiliation “no longer viable” and citing concerns over a misalignment of the group’s values.

American banjo player Béla Fleck withdrew his upcoming performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, saying that performing at the center has become “charged and political.”

The Brentano String Quartet, who canceled their February 1 performance at the Kennedy Center, said they will “regretfully forego performing there.”

CNN has reached out to the Kennedy Center on the additional cancellations.

The opera said, “The Board and management of the company wish the Center well in its own future endeavors.”

CNN’s Betsy Klein and Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.

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Washington

Andre Washington’s 20 points help Eastern Illinois take down Tennessee Tech 71-61

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Andre Washington’s 20 points help Eastern Illinois take down Tennessee Tech 71-61

CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Andre Washington had 20 points in Eastern Illinois’ 71-61 victory over Tennessee Tech on Thursday.

Washington shot 8 for 13, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Panthers (5-10, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference). Meechie White added 13 points and four steals. Kooper Jacobi finished with 11 points and added seven rebounds.

The Golden Eagles (6-10, 1-4) were led in scoring by Jah’Kim Payne, who finished with 11 points. Tennessee Tech also got 10 points from Mekhi Turner.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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