Baker won't return as Nationals manager in 2018

Back-to-back division titles weren't enough to keep Dusty Baker in the Washington Nationals' dugout.

The Nationals announced Friday that Baker won't return as manager in 2018, just a few weeks after his team was eliminated in the National League Division Series for a second consecutive year.

"(Dusty) led the team to the first back-to-back division titles in our history and represented our club with class on and off the field," the Nationals wrote in a statement, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN. "We wish him the best going forward."

The Nationals added they'll begin pursuing a new manager immediately.

Baker's two-year contract had already expired, as had the contracts of his coaching staff. Per the team's statement, none of Baker's coaches will return.

The 68-year-old Baker led the Nationals to a pair of 90-win seasons and consecutive playoff appearances, only to see his team eliminated in the first round both years.

Baker's 1,863 career wins as a manager rank 14th all time, and were the most among active skippers until his firing. Of the 13 managers with more wins, only Gene Mauch isn't enshrined in the Hall of Fame.